London [UK]: Ahead of the final race in Abu Dhabi on November 27, three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted that it has not been a “perfect season” and the odds are firmly stacked against him as he bids to win the Formula One championship.
Hamilton, who is 12 points adrift of Nico Rosberg, knows that his Mercedes team-mate needs only a top-three finish to clinch his maiden championship and stop Hamilton from becoming the first British driver in grand prix history to win four titles.
The three-time world champion was required to win all the remaining races since the Japanese Grand Prix to take the Championship battle to the last race of the season.
And the 31-year-old did manage to do the same as he went on to clinch victories in United States, Mexico and Brazil to cut down Rosberg’s 33-point lead to just 12-points.
“It’s not been a perfect season and I’m faced with pretty impossible odds no matter what I do this weekend,” Hamilton was quoted as saying by the Guardian.
The 31-year-old, who has been showing his masterclass in the last three races, including a spectacular display at the rain-hit Brazilian Grand Prix, is well aware that the German holds the aces.
“I can’t and won’t give up. You never know what might happen – however unlikely it may seem. I’ll be proud of myself and what I’ve achieved as long as I feel I’ve given my all and performed at my best,” he said.
“Whatever happens, I’m proud of everyone who’s been a part of the success we’ve shared over the past few years. I’m approaching this race the same as I do every race. I want to win and I’ll give it everything to finish the season on a high,” the Briton added.
Meanwhile, Rosberg, who won in Abu Dhabi last year, is keen to clinch the championship title with a victory.
“I will give it everything to end the season with a win. I’ve had a great week, relaxing and catching up with my family and friends, so I feel like I’m in a good place,” the German said.
“In Brazil, after the race, I was joking that I would still be taking things one race at a time but the more I think about it, the more that’s actually not as crazy as it sounds. I have to treat this like any other race,” he added.
The 31-year-old German has, however, insisted that nothing in sport is easy and, therefore, he would have to perform well to come out with a good result.
“I have great memories from winning at this track last year and it’s somewhere I’ve usually been strong in the past, so I have every reason to feel confident,” he added. (ANI)