Nico Rosberg headed to the United States Grand Prix knowing that he need only finish behind title rival Lewis Hamilton in the remaining four races to clinch the 2018 Formula 1 world championship title and in the end that ’ s exactly what he did . The Mercedes driver finished second , but made his afternoon ’ s work hard by slipping to third as he exited the first corner on the first lap . Nevertheless he soldiered on as the team tweaked his strategy enough to ensure he finished second .