Attention among fans and observers quickly turned to debating Hamilton's chances of matching five-time victor Alain Prost or Michael Schumacher, who holds the record with seven F1 titles. "I don't know why, but it feels so fresh and so new, it feels great". Now sitting alone atop the all-time poles list and trailing just one driver in career victories and two drivers in career championships, Hamilton is certainly a driver you could make the case for as the best.
Verstappen revelled in the challenge in the wet past year and gained 10 positions in a daring drive to finish third and secure a podium finish at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace where Hamilton gained his first title with a passing move for McLaren at the final corner in 2008. His Mercedes team have stated that the matter is in the hands of his lawyers and he would make no further comment.
"My team released a statement and l don't have anything else to add to that", he said on Thursday.
Lewis Hamilton brushed aside a question about his tax affairs on Thursday and said winning his fourth Formula One title had yet to sink in.
And, despite arriving in Brazil suffering from a runny nose after climbing the Inca trails in Machu Picchu, says he will not be taking it easy with the season coming to a close. Every time you reply, they reply back to you, so I had to come up with a new tactic: 'I reply, but please don't reply'. "I have a good feeling in my heart".
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"I guess the reason it's not really sunk in is because I've kind of tried to stay in the zone, really", he told reporters at Interlagos, which hosts Sunday's penultimate race of the season.
"I had messages from so many people", he said. It is important to win those two races to continue to solidify what I have worked on this year.
Hamilton has been faster than Bottas in qualifying in 13 of the 18 races and has won nine times while Bottas has own twice.
23 - For 23 consecutive races, Hamilton has earned points. "It is a better time than ever to apply even more pressure".