’I’m faced with pretty impossible odds’ - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says he is “faced with pretty impossible odds” as he goes in search of a fourth drivers’ championship this weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The defending champion has won the last three races in the United States, Mexico and Brazil to cut team-mate Nico Rosberg’s advantage to 12 points ahead of the final race. However, Rosberg has finished second to Hamilton in those three races and only needs to finish in the top three this weekend to guarantee his first world championship.

With the final result out of his hands, Hamilton says his win at Interlagos gives him confidence to make it four victories in a row but he’s aware it is unlikely it will be enough to retain the title.

“To finally win in Brazil was a moment I'll never forget,” Hamilton said. “It had been a long time coming. I'm in a good place right now. I'm feeling super strong in this amazing car that everyone at the factories has worked so hard to give us. I've had 31 wins in four years with this team so far, which is just crazy. I'm so thankful for the great opportunity these guys have given me. We're continuing to make history together.

“It's not been a perfect season and I'm faced with pretty impossible odds no matter what I do this weekend. But 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.

“And, 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 weekend the same as I do every race. I want to win and I'll give it everything to finish the season on a high.”

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.