IN THIS ISSUE
Hamilton heads into F1 showdown
Lewis Hamilton has conceded that his chances of claiming a fourth world championship in Abu Dhabi this weekend are outside of his control, but has pledged to make life tough for team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Hamilton claimed his ninth grand prix victory of the season with a dominant display in the wet in Brazil. His third consecutive win has closed the gap to championship leader Rosberg to just 12 points ahead of the season finale at Yas Marina.
Regardless, with that cushion Rosberg simply needs to finish on the podium to claim his first world title ( see sidebar).
Hamilton knows he will need some luck on his side, and some misfortune on the other side of the garage to swing the championship in his favour.
Hamilton said: “I’m happy that I beat everyone in Brazil. And I’m happy that with the same car I beat Nico, and Nico is driving at his best right now and on Sunday he had nothing on me.
“I’m happy that as a team we are continuing to make history. I’m happy at how great the new mechanics that were given to me at the beginning of the year have gelled so well with me and now they’re doing such a fantastic job.
“But Nico is doing all he has to do, he has finished every race and not had any problems, whereas I have, so I’m in an awkward position going into the last race.
“It doesn’t make a big difference if I go and drive like I did on Sunday [in Brazil], because I’ve already lost so much this year. But I can’t give up because I don’t know what will happen. It’s unlikely [the title chance], but you never know what can happen in F1.”
Hamilton lost crucial ground in the title race when his engine failed and stripped him of a near-certain victory in Malaysia back in October.
In contrast Rosberg, who also has nine wins this year, has suffered only one retirement – at the Spanish GP when the two Mercedes drivers crashed into each other.
This weekend marks the first time Rosberg has had the pressure of leading the chase for the title into the deciding round.
The German said: “I will give it everything to end the season with a win and the title.
“I have to treat this like any other race. Doing a good job on a grand prix weekend is always a challenge. Nothing in this sport is easy, so this won’t be any different. I still have to go all-out to try and get a good result.”