Lewis Hamilton has praised his “great team-mate” Nico Rosberg after the pair helped Mercedes to secure their second Constructors’ Championship at the weekend in Russia.
The Briton, who looks set to clinch his third title after winning in Russia, extending his championship lead over second placed Sebastian Vettel to 66 points, hailed his teams efforts.
“I hope everyone gets a chance to just take a step back for a moment and realise what we’ve achieved together,” he said during victory celebrations back at Mercedes’ Brackley base.
“I know everyone at the factories will keep pushing to keep us at the front and myself and Nico will definitely be doing the same.”
Their hard work has meant Hamilton has endured just one major reliability problem this season, whilst Rosberg has been hit with two, something the 30-year-old is fully aware of and is therefore certain that Rosberg will fight back in the coming seasons.
“I just want to mention too what a great team-mate Nico is,” he added.
“He’s had a much tougher season so far than I have but has been a real team player throughout and I know he’ll be fighting back through the many years to come in which we’ll no doubt be competing hard against each other.”
The German has admitted his title hopes are now almost impossible, but has promised to keep pushing for wins in the final four races of the season.
“You have to be realistic now,” he said. “It is a lot of points but it doesn’t change my approach. I am still pushing to the maximum, and committed, and going for it mentally. So it doesn’t change much.”