Hamilton Horner backs Brit driver in Mercedes row

Hamilton was on course for a comfortable victory at Sepang when his engine expired, forcing him to retire while team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg took third.

On track, Mercedes will be anxious by the prospect of a revived challenge from Red Bull and Ferrari.

Hamilton, who needed to make up a 12-point deficit to Rosberg, tried to back up his German teammate towards the pack when they were running first and second – and ignored Mercedes instructions to pick up the pace.

“I think it’s a pity that the topic is even discussed”, he said.

Hamilton believed he had simply attempted to command a race he won by dictating the tactics, attempting to slow title rival and team-mate Nico Rosberg so that he fell into the clutches of the onrushing Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

Hamilton would indeed go on to win each of the final races from pole position but with Rosberg following him home in second position on each occasion it was enough to seal a first championship title win by five points.

Reflecting on Sunday’s race, the Scot is highly critical of Lewis Hamilton’s actions, branding the Mercedes a “little ballerina”.

As predicted earlier this week, Lewis Hamilton pulled out of the Pirelli tyre test in Abu Dhabi. “He sets a high standard”, the 31-year-old Rosberg told reporters.

There was minimal eye contact as they waited to go on the podium, where they did eventually shake hands in front of the crowd.

There was minimal eye contact, let alone a handshake. That’s always remained, that respect, so that for sure helps even though it’s hard because we’re within the same team fighting each other.

Rosberg was quick to thank his Brackley-based team, who earlier clinched the Constructors’ title, by saying: “The whole team have done an fantastic job this year”.

“We have the base respect because we were really good friends back in the day. This helps somewhat”, he added.

“At the same time, we knew that this approach would sometimes give us some tough moments to deal with”.

Mercedes won 19 of this year’s record 21 races with Red Bull winning the other two races, one by Dutch teenager Max Verstappen, who became the youngest race victor in history, and one from Australian Daniel Ricciardo.