NEWLY crowned three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton basked in the glory of emulating childhood hero Ayrton Senna on Sunday, describing his United States Grand Prix triumph as his “greatest moment.”

As his Mercedes team celebrated all around him, soaking him in champagne, the 30-year-old Briton reflected on his role-model status and his hopes and inspirations in the aftermath of an astonishing race and achievement.

He was choking back the tears after crossing the line 2.8 seconds ahead of German teammate Nico Rosberg who had led before a late mistake.

The first British driver to win back-to-back titles, Hamilton realized a lifelong ambition to equal the tally of his boyhood idol, the Brazilian triple champion who died in 1994.

Ferrari’s four-time champion Sebastian Vettel finished third, after starting 13th and fighting back to chase Rosberg nose-to-tail over the final lap with the crowd on the edge of their seats on a cold and blustery afternoon after morning rain.

“This is the greatest moment of my life,” Hamilton told his team in the emotional moments after he crossed the line to add the 2015 title to those of 2008 and 2014.

Later, he said he felt moved to have realized a dream in matching Senna’s achievement in winning three championships.

“For me, that was the target,” he said. “I wanted to get the three that Ayrton had. He wasn’t from the same country as me, but he was the guy who inspired me as a youngster.

“Now, I don’t know what is going to come next. There is nobody else I look to who I want to emulate and I feel like I’ve got the baton for myself and Ayrton and I will carry that on and see how far I can take it.”

After feeling deeply emotional after the race, he told a news conference: “I’m so overwhelmed right now. I remember my first British Championship and when my dad drove me home.

“We were singing ‘We Are The Champions’ in the car as we drove home. I owe so much to them – my mum, my dad, my family for all that they sacrificed for me.”

Hamilton’s father Anthony and family were not in Austin to see him win the race and take his third title, an absence the champion addressed by sending messages to them at every opportunity.

Asked about his dreams and his role, he said: “I want to encourage young kids. It is about the self-belief they have.”

Hamilton snatched victory when Mercedes teammate Rosberg ran wide on lap 49 to open the door to his third title.

“Today, so many times, I thought I’d lost the race. With the safety car and Nico was so quick, but I just never gave up,” said Hamilton.

(SD-Agencies)