With the championship leaving Asia for the Americas, Hamilton gradually started to erode Rosberg's championship lead. He won from pole in a Mercedes 1–2 finish in the next three races in the United States, Mexico and Brazil meaning he entered the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix needing to win with Rosberg finishing fourth or lower to win the title. In Abu Dhabi, Hamilton took pole position ahead of Rosberg, and led him for most of the race. In the closing laps of the race, he slowed down in attempt to allow other drivers to catch and pass Rosberg, despite repeated instructions from Mercedes not to risk losing the race to Sebastian Vettel, who used pit strategy to bring himself into contention and was quickly catching up. Hamilton went on to win the race, while Rosberg secured his maiden Drivers' Championship title with second place. After the race, Hamilton denied that he had been guilty of any wrongdoing, saying "I don't think I did anything dangerous", "I was in the lead, so I control the pace. Those are the rules". Hamilton finished the season with 380 points, recording 10 wins, a record-equalling 17 podium finishes and 12 pole positions, enough to secure the FIA Pole Trophy for the second consecutive season.