Lewis Hamilton looking ahead to Vettel rivalry for 2016

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes says if he 'was just a fan I would want to see the two of us up against each other' referring to Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and a looming title challenge.

Mercedes F1 driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates victory on the podium on Sunday after the Russian Grand Prix, watched by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel. Grigory DukoShow more

Lewis Hamilton is relishing the tantalising prospect of going head-to-head against Sebastian Vettel next season with one hand firmly on this year's Formula One crown.

After winning the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday, his ninth victory of the season, it is now a matter of when, not if, Mercedes driver Hamilton will be crowned champion.

The likelihood is that it will happen in the United States – a race he has won in two of the last three seasons – in two weeks’ time.

Indeed if Hamilton is victorious, and Vettel, now his closest challenger after Nico Rosberg retired from Sunday’s race, finishes third or lower, the Briton will become a triple world champion. But after joining Vettel on 42 career victories at Sochi’s Olympic Park on Sunday, Hamilton already has one eye on 2016.

Ferrari have shown dramatic improvement this season, and if they continue their upward trajectory over the winter, the famous Italian team, and Vettel in particular, could pose a real threat to Hamilton and his Mercedes next term.

Hamilton said: “If I hung up my gloves and was just a fan I would want to see the two of us up against each other. I am super excited to do that.”

The 30-year-old is three years Vettel’s senior – but the latter already has four championships under his belt. The prospect of arguably the two best drivers of their generation competing for next year’s championship is an enticing one, and is one the sport is crying out for.

The pair were joking throughout Sunday’s post-race press conference in Russia with Vettel even goading Hamilton about the presence of the gatecrashing Russian grid girls.

Hamilton added: “Sebastian is an original – what you see is what you get. He is a great driver, and a good personality. He is a fun lad and I am looking forward to racing him for many more years.”

Hamilton sauntered to victory on Sunday after Rosberg fell foul to a throttle issue. His race, and seemingly his championship challenge, too, ended on lap seven.

Hamilton, 73 points clear of Rosberg and 66 points ahead of Vettel with only 100 remaining, is now poised to become the first British driver to successfully defend his Formula One crown, but the Mercedes man is remaining grounded.

“I don’t think about nearly,” he added. “You either are or you’re not and I’m not there yet. That is what my Dad would always say. So, I am going to continue doing what I’m doing.

“I don’t think I will be fully conscious of it until I get it which is a good thing. I want to work to something and then feel it when I get there.

“I can’t tell what it’s going to feel like if it goes to plan, but it will be very, very cool to be up there with the greats.”

Hamilton and Rosberg led the team’s celebration in Brackley and Brixworth on Monday after Mercedes clinched successive constructors’ championships in Sochi.

“Winning the constructors’ championship, I’m buzzing, and I’m so proud of everyone,” said Hamilton.

Mercedes principal Toto Wolff added: “Today we must all take a minute and think about the words ‘world champion’. For this year, we can say we were the best in the world and that is something very special indeed.”

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