Hamilton struggling to adapt

World champion Lewis Hamilton fears Mercedes’ decision to move a number of his mechanics to Nico Rosberg’s car this season will damage his title chance.

Hamilton’s winning team was broken up at the end of last season with five crew – including his number one mechanic – switching from his side of the garage to Rosberg’s in a bid to prevent division within the team.

Hamilton fell 43 points behind Rosberg after he encountered a number of mechanical problems in the early races of the season before he took a 19-point lead into thesummerbreak after winning six races from seven.

But the British driver heads into Sunday ’ s Malaysian Grand Prix – the first of six remaining – eight points behind Rosberg after the German romped to a hat-trick of straight wins.

Rosberg’s latest victory in Singapore was his eighth of the season, already two more than he managed last year, and three more than in 2014.

“The biggest effect it can have on the driver is psychologically,” said Hamilton.

“If something changes when it doesn’t really need to be changed, it can have all sorts of effects.”

Hamilton, 31, facesoneof the biggest tests of his career to wrestle the championship momentum back from Rosberg after theGerman turned in a crushing display in Singapore.

But ahead of what could be a pivotal race in his pursuit of a fourth title, Hamilton insists he does not feel under any greater pressure nowthan atany other stage of his 10-year career.

Lewis Hamilton