Lewis Hamilton admits extra pit-stop in Brazil was a risk he might not have taken

Lewis Hamilton has admitted he might not have taken the extra pit-stop at the Brazilian Grand Prix if the championship was still up for grabs.

Hamilton clinched his sixth Drivers' Championship after coming second at the United States Grand Prix, meaning he could take some extra risks at Interlagos - one of them being the extra pit-stop.

The six-time world champion pitted under a Safety Car towards the end of the race. Hamilton then collided with Alexander Albon and crossed the line in P3 but because of the collision, the Brit was demoted to P4.

"It's not a major drama for us," Hamilton told RaceFans. "I don't think it would have happened if we were fighting for the championship. We were experimenting, trying to be a little bit more risky. It didn't pay off but it's good for us to go through those experiences.

"We've probably learned more from that weekend than we did perhaps the couple of weekends before where things generally went relatively smooth sailing."

His Mercedes team told Hamilton that he would only give up one position if he pitted under the SC, which turned out to be wrong: "I took (the) decision in the end to come in, I was given the option, but also I was given slightly the wrong information where I'd come out.

"Then there's other things that followed like the Safety Car stayed out longer, all those kind of things. Naturally, hindsight is always a great thing, so you would go back and you'd probably change it."