Hamilton needs to outscore Vettel by nine points and Rosberg two to clinch his third Drivers' Championship with three rounds to spare
Tuesday 13 October 2015 10:30, UK
Lewis Hamilton could clinch the 2015 world championship as early as the US Grand Prix on October 25 following his victory in Russia.
Hamilton's ninth win of the year has extended his advantage at the top of the championship to 66 points with a maximum of 100 left to play for over the season's final four races.
The Briton's closest pursuer in the standings is now Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel following the German's second-place finish in Russia and Nico Rosberg's retirement. Hamilton now leads the championship on 302 points, 66 ahead of Vettel and 73 clear of Rosberg.
Hamilton will therefore knock both of his rivals out of mathematical contention and clinch his third world crown if he outscores Vettel by nine points and Rosberg by two in Austin.
With nine wins to his name already this season, Hamilton is already guaranteed to end the year with more victories than either of his rivals, meaning he would win any points tie-break at the end of the year.
So, where does the Briton need to finish at the Circuit of the Americas to become champion again?
In terms of the most straightforward permutation, a victory for Hamilton in Austin would mean that Vettel would have to at least finish second to take the title battle on to the following week's race in Mexico. If Hamilton wins in America and Vettel is only third - a difference of 10 points - then the Briton is world champion.
Victory for Hamilton in Austin would automatically end Rosberg's challenge irrespective of where the German finished.
Sky Sports F1 viewers will be able to see if Hamilton clinches the world championship in Austin with the US GP exclusively live on the channel on the weekend of October 23-25.
