Hamilton: No one left to emulate after matching Senna

The British driver secured his third crown - and the second in a row - after taking his 10th win of the 2015 season in Austin.

With no ambitions to match the seven titles won by Michael Schumacher, Hamilton says there is no one else he wants to match in Formula 1.

"I think for Sebastian [Vettel] being the same country, that will be Seb's target, for me it was always to get the three that Ayrton had," said Hamilton, the second British three-time champion after Jackie Stewart.

"He wasn't from the same country as me but it was the guy who inspired me as a youngster.

"I don't know what I will do next – but there is no one I want to equal or emulate next.

"I said one race ago, I feel like I had the baton down for myself and Ayrton and will carry it as long as I can and as strong as I can.

"It's very humbling experience, especially to equal Ayrton Senna, who meant so much to me and still does today, I feel very, very blessed."

The Mercedes driver admitted he was finding it hard to put his emotions into words.

"It is overwhelming," he added. "It's difficult to find the words. I am sitting here, I remember my first British championship where my Dad and I drove home singing the champions, and just crazy to think I am a three-time F1 champion."

Hamilton, who won the race after a late mistake by teammate Nico Rosberg, said he always thought winning was possible.

"There were so many times when I thought I had lost the race," he said. "I fell back, and never for one second believed that I couldn't do it."