'Something just doesn't feel right' suggests suspicious Hamilton

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A distraught Lewis Hamilton retired from the Malaysia Grand Prix when his internal combustion engine blew up 15 laps from the checkered flag, depriving the Brit from a 50th career win.

While Hamilton, who now trails team mate Nico Rosberg by 23 points, urged himself to move on from his dramatic demise on Sunday, the defending world champion was at a loss to explain his misfortune.

"The guys did a fantastic job this weekend and we did everything we could," said Hamilton.

"I did everything I could, and I just can't believe that only my engines are the ones that have been going this year. Something just doesn't feel right, but there's nothing I can do about it."

Pressed to elaborate on his negative sentiment, Hamilton appeared to remain guarded, fueling speculation that he had perhaps been treated unfairly by Mercedes.

The Brit, who quite admittedly has endured his unfair share of bad luck this season, insisted that he had treated his motor accordingly during the race, and with no abuse whatsoever.

"I was out there fighting with a bunch of other dudes but it definitely felt good out there and didn’t really feel under threat.

"I had that good buffer of time, generally it was about half a second, four tenths or whatever to the second guy and I knew that I could go faster and also they could go potentially faster in their laps so I felt quite comfortable for sure.

"It was a brand new engine, done one race with it. It is what it is, we'll just move forward and try to continue to drive as we have this weekend. It's just odd. There's been like 43 engines from Mercedes and only mine have gone."

Hamilton's 'heat-of-the-moment' despondency extended to his prospects for the end of the season as he admitted that he now no longer knew what to expect.

"Right now, I don't even know if my car is going to make it. These next five races I know we've got it in us, my engineers and my mechanics, but who knows what the engines I have will do.

"We're just going to keep our head down and hope for the best, but obviously today was not a good day."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.