Lewis Hamilton clashes with Nico Rosberg as Mercedes team-mate reacts badly to him throwing a hat in his lap

Rosberg was far from happy with Hamilton's first-lap move during the race and reacted badly to him throwing a cap in the drivers' room afterwards

Nico Rosberg glares at Lewis Hamilton after the US Grand Prix (Getty Images)

While Lewis Hamilton cut an ecstatic figure celebrating his third Formula 1 World Championship, his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg cut an unhappy and dejected figure.

The pair have clashed in the past despite coming through the junior ranks together, with their feud towards the end of the 2014 season up there with the best rivalries the sport has seen. And while 2015 has been a more composed battle with Hamilton always holding the upper hand, Rosberg finally lost his temper after the United States Grand Prix on Sunday.

There’s a reason the drivers have a cooling down room before they head out onto the podium. Tensions can sometimes boil over, or drivers will simply blank one another out of sheer frustration.

So when a jubilant Hamilton’s threw the Pirelli hat that they have to wear on the podium into Rosberg’s lap, the German didn’t see the funny side of it. He looked at Hamilton, who had already turned his back on Rosberg, and decided to launch the hat back in the champion’s direction. Hamilton remained unmoved.

Watch the video below…

The British driver patted Rosberg on the back when the two were out on the podium alongside Sebastian Vettel, but Rosberg didn’t want to know about it as he ignored his team-mate.

Rosberg may have been more frustrated with himself after it was his mistake in lighting up the rear tyres that allowed Hamilton to sweep past and into the lead, and with Rosberg holding off Vettel it meant that he cannot be caught in the Drivers’ Championship with three races remaining.

Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium as Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel look dejected (Getty Images)

Hamilton could have been more sporting with Rosberg, who was clearly hurting by his second straight championship defeat to the man with the same car as him. Perhaps walking over and shaking Rosberg’s hand before passing him the hat would’ve been more advisable, but everyone knows the pair don’t get along when the pressure is on.

Rosberg has also been criticised for not taking it as well as he could have, but when a driver is battling for the world championship they should be on the edge –especially immediately after a race – and disappointment should be a natural reaction for a true competitor.

Lewis Hamilton attempts to speak with Nico Rosberg (Getty Images)

Rosberg was also fuming with Hamilton’s first-corner overtake that saw him push his own team-mate wide and cost him four positions off the start. He described Hamilton’s move as “extremely aggressive” and believed he had the line and position in the corner and should have been given right of way.