World champion qualifies second to Nico Rosberg in torrential conditions at the Circuit of The Americas
Tuesday 27 October 2015 17:26, UK
Lewis Hamilton says he isn’t chasing world title glory in “do or die” style in the USGP after qualifying second to Nico Rosberg in torrential conditions at the Circuit of The Americas.
The world champion will claim his third world crown later on Sunday if he scores two more points than his Mercedes team-mate and nine more than Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel will line up 14th on the grid after an engine penalty is added on to the fifth fastest time he set in heavy rain that forced the cancellation of Q3.
The forecast is that the rain will ease during the afternoon, and Hamilton thinks that conditions might improve.
Even so, given that he leads Vettel by 66 points and Rosberg by 73 with four races in hand, Hamilton suggested he would adopt a circumspect approach.
"The race is obviously a long battle. It's going to be hard out there in those conditions varying throughout the race," he said.
"I think today it's best to be sensible and there's no need to take risks. There's four races, so it's not do or die this weekend."
In contrast, Rosberg has it all to do if he's to stand any chances of keeping his slim title hopes alive - although the German has given himself the best possible platform after taking his third straight pole.
"It was a really good qualifying," said Rosberg. "I felt comfortable in the car. It's difficult out there with aquaplaning and everything; when it happens you really struggle to control the car."
Daniel Ricciardo lines up behind the Silver Arrows after a strong qualifying performance which saw the Red Bull driver fastest of all in Q1.
It vindicated the team's decision not to use Renault's upgraded engine this weekend - and take a grid penalty - and the Australian is hoping conditions stay wet for the race.
"Q1 was looking good. We were quite comfortable but in Q2 there was a little bit more water on the track," Ricciardo said.
"I think it's a good opportunity for us today. I don't know what the weather's going to do but I think we'll have fun."
