Hamilton takes title, Mercedes wary of Ferrari pace

Lewis Hamilton won his third drivers’ world title in virtually untouchable fashion in 2015, but in a year of pressures and problems both he and his Mercedes team ended the season looking anxiously at their rivals.

The 30-year-old Briton, who lost his focus and his dominant speed in the closing three races to his team-mate Nico Rosberg, won the championship with a month to spare.

His complete supremacy for most of the season left him ecstatic, and then vulnerable, when a period of intense celebrations saw Rosberg take over as F1’s winner as the champion lost his way and, at times, his composure.

Their in-team competitive relationship was the focus of much attention and merited a warning from Mercedes racing chief Toto Wolff, who said that if they “crossed the line” in their sometime squabbles it could result in dismissals.

Clearly concerned that the tensions in their rivalry would become acrimonious and spill over into the team and cause a level of demotivation, Wolff later said he felt certain that both men understood their responsibilities. “Nico and Lewis know very well what was meant,” said Wolff.

“The spirit of the team is essential. It is one of the forces which makes us who we are and what we are... If there would be animosity within the team — that would be detrimental to the team. “And I said that if we were unable to contain the fierce competition and it could spill over to the team, then we would be needing to look at how we would set up the driver line-up for the future.”

The melodrama of their relationship was the dramatic highlight of a routine season, with Hamilton driving flawlessly to leave no doubt of his status and speed long before he eased off and Rosberg revived himself to reel off three season-ending victories.

“I actually look at the last three races as a blessing in disguise,” Hamilton said.

Vettel’s impact Both men agreed that their in-team rivalry was essential for them to maintain their own form and edge and, at the same time, drive Mercedes forward as the much-improved Ferrari team, boosted by their arrival of four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, showed signs of closing the gap.

“I hope that Toto always comes back to the conclusion that it’s actually good the way it is,” said Rosberg.

“I can see a couple of extra grey hairs that have arrived. Maybe those are courtesy of us...”

Vettel’s impact with Ferrari proved that Mercedes have every reason to be concerned as he reeled off three wins and 13 podium finishes to suggest the Italian squad can make 2016 much less comfortable for Hamilton, assuming he can rediscover his mojo, and Mercedes.