No distractions in the champion's camp - Wolff

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said that the newly-crowned team will race in Austin fully focused on providing Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton with the best possible equipment to fight each other.

Festivities last week at both the Brixworth and Brackley factories celebrated the German manufacturer's third consecutive Constructors title, but it will be back to serious business next weekend in Austin .

"Last week was a fitting way to mark a great achievement by the hundreds of men and women who made this triple Championship a reality," said Toto Wolff.

"But that was last week. We now look only forwards and our priority over the coming weeks is to give both our boys the best possible chance of winning the remaining four races."

While Rosberg and Hamilton fight it out to the bitter end, the Mercedes boss insists that the team is now resolutely turned to the future, with still a huge task to undertake in the coming months to prepare for 2017.

"The title is purely between them, which is fantastic news for the team as we can be happy whatever the final outcome.

"However, the pressure is on to ensure that their battle is decided man-to-man, and hopefully wheel-to-wheel, on the race track.

"We may already have celebrated our Championship success as a team - but we have a responsibility to the drivers and will not let anything distract us from the job at hand.

"Likewise, we have an entirely new challenge to prepare for in 2017. While we savour these moments, it's going to be a long, hard winter ahead.

"There is much work to be done in the coming weeks and months - but also plenty of excitement on the way I'm sure."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.