Lewis Hamilton won't take risks in US GP to seal 2015 F1 title
Lewis Hamilton heads into the United States Grand Prix conceding "it's not do or die" in terms of taking risks and with a third Formula 1 world title on the line

Hamilton will line up second on the grid at Austin behind Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg following a curtailed qualifying session in which heavy rain prevented any running in Q3, resulting in the times from Q2 determining the grid.
To become a three-time world champion Hamilton has to finish two points better off than Rosberg and nine ahead of Sebastian Vettel, who starts 15th in his Ferrari as he serves a 10-place grid penalty for an engine change.
"With qualifying cut short I was unable to battle it out in last few laps [with Rosberg]," said Hamilton.
"But qualifying is just the beginning. The race is a long battle, and it's going to be hard out there in those conditions, and throughout the race.
"So today it's about being sensible out there, there is no need to take any particular risks.
"There are four races [available to take the title] so it's not do or die this weekend.
"You have to appreciate it's incredibly tricky. The conditions are varying from corner to corner throughout the lap, so you are basically on your tiptoes the whole time.
"You have to apply these techniques you learned in the early days of driving, in terms of finding the grip, in terms of being sharp and reacting to aquaplaning moments which you never expect.
"It's to the point where you are throwing the car into the corners, attaching the grip and keeping going without lifting.
"It is about being very sensitive, but as smooth as you can be, and as cautious."
In contrast, Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who lines up third, has nothing to lose and is ready to attack the all-Mercedes front row.
"In these conditions there is always a fine line, but you're better off being more on the side of risk, because if you don't drive in these conditions with confidence then you don't get far," said Ricciardo.
"If there is a bit of aquaplaning or a bit more rain starts, and it scares you or makes you a bit more cautious, then everyone is going to jump in front.
"So you definitely need to drive in these conditions with confidence, and I'd say a little bit of aggression.
"It can bite you, but risks need to be taken because it can make or break you in these conditions.
"For us as a team and me as a driver, I'm not fighting for a championship, and these conditions are good for us.
"It's an opportunity in the rain, so to put it all on the line makes sense."

Nico Rosberg takes pole in shortened US GP F1 qualifying
F1 drivers concerned about conditions for US Grand Prix

Latest news
NASCAR bans Chastain Martinsville wall-ride manoeuvre
NASCAR has decided to ban the wall-ride manoeuvre made famous by Ross Chastain at Martinsville that secured him a place in the Championship 4.
Gasly: Mindset for Alpine is "completely different" to Red Bull F1 move
Pierre Gasly says he has a "completely different" mindset for his Alpine Formula 1 move thanks to lessons taken from his failed stint at Red Bull in 2019.
GTD Pro win a “proper send-off” for retiring IMSA stalwart MacNeil
Winning the GTD Pro class at the Daytona 24 Hours was a fitting way for Cooper MacNeil to retire from racing in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, says team-mate Jules Gounon.
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
How do the best races of F1 2022 stack up to 2021?
OPINION: A system to score all the grands prix from the past two seasons produces some interesting results and sets a standard that 2023 should surely exceed
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.