Hamilton responds to Rosberg's title comments

Lewis Hamilton has hit back at suggestions from pundits that he and Mercedes have been handed the drivers' and constructors' championships in the 2018 Formula 1 season, following Nico Rosberg's comments on Thursday questioning the "unbelievable" decline of Sebastian Vettel since the summer.

The Brit is poised to claim his fifth world championship at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, only needing to finish in the top seven or if Vettel doesn't end up winning on the day.

Things have been made simpler for the rankings leader due to the downturn in form from Vettel and Ferrari, but Hamilton still believes the team has had to work for their wins.

“I see a lot of people saying things have been handed to us, which is taking away from the job the team and I have done," Hamilton said.

“Just winning the championship has been the goal. When I won my first, one of the ex-champions said it would get harder to win a second. And every one after that has got harder and harder to win a championship, even though you are improving.

“But I would say this one is one of my most enjoyable years given the things I faced. It would be the one I am most proud of and appreciate more.”

Hamilton's comments come after Rosberg, a former bitter rival and team-mate with Mercedes, said the championship was very one-sided.

“It’s all about consistency," the former world champion suggested.

"And he’s done the opposite. He (Vettel) has been all over the place really in the last few months, he and the team both together.

“It’s been so one-sided since the summer, it’s unbelievable. It was seemingly Vettel who was going to take the championship and it’s just gone completely the other direction with total dominance since.

“And it’s just the result of mistakes, and you’re never going to beat Lewis like that because Lewis doesn’t make mistakes.”

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