Hamilton to rely on his ability to clinch crown

LEWIS Hamilton is confident his talent alone can carry him to this year’s Formula One world title.

Hamilton heads into a race he singled out earlier this season as one of the two he was desperate to win.

After missing out on Monaco in contentious circumstances to Mercedes team- mate Nico Rosberg, the priority for Hamilton is to now take the chequered flag at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

With Hamilton staring at a 29- point deficit to Rosberg, he knows he cannot afford for that gap to grow any larger heading into his home event where a crowd of 125,000 is expected on Sunday.

Two retirements this campaign have proved expensive for Hamilton, in contrast to Rosberg who has not been out of the top two in the eight races to date.

Hamilton, though, has no intention of relying on any misfortune to Rosberg to aid his cause.

Asked of Hamilton whether he was a believer in situations balancing themselves out and that Rosberg was due a couple of retirements, he replied: “I’m not convinced that’s the case.

“That would mean in the next 11 races Nico would need to have two he does not finish, and I do not think that is going to happen.

“I cannot rely on that, I just have to focus on doing better than him, which I am capable of.

“The edge I have is in my ability. That is the gift I have and I have to utilise it this year more than ever.”

Hamilton has no doubt he is quicker than Rosberg, although has been forced to settle for second best in two of the last three races he has finished, with Canada an exception given his retirement.

In Monaco, Hamilton was on course for pole when yellow flags caused by on off- track excursion from Rosberg forced him to back off, sparking that weekend’s controversy between the two.

In Austria 10 days ago, Hamilton was twice on course for pole again, only to make mistakes that saw him start ninth to Rosberg’s third.

“I’m happy I managed to recover that weekend. I earned my money, so that was good,” said Hamilton, who was runner- up behind Rosberg.

“I know I’m 29 points down now, but even though I’ve not finished as many races as I would like and I lost another seven points to Nico in Austria, there’s still a long way to go.

“I had a lot of pace in Austria, and although I didn’t capitalise on it, I’ll take it into the British Grand Prix and make sure I do.

“I’m excited about our pace. I’m going to Silverstone with the best package I’ve ever had, so I’m thrilled about that.

“I just have to execute that pace over a weekend, so I will work hard to make sure I do that.”