Lewis Hamilton says backing up Formula One title rival Nico Rosberg so he comes under pressure from the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is neither “easy”, nor “wise”.

Trailing his Mercedes team-mate by 12 points ahead of the season finale, Hamilton needs to put several cars between him and Rosberg to win a fourth world championship.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner declared on Wednesday that the Briton would be “smart” to try and hold up the points leader so others can overtake him.

“I was only just made aware of what Christian had said,” Hamilton said in response to Horner’s remarks in Thursday’s FIA press conference.

“Nico has been on pole here for the last two years here, he has been very quick. This has been a relatively strong circuit for me, but [I was] not delivering the last two years, so my sole goal is to do so.”

The 31-year-old also claims he would take more pride in outshining Rosberg comprehensively, as he did at the previous round in Brazil.

“In terms of tactics in the race, that has to come on Sunday, that has never been my thought process. If I am ahead, I want to be as far ahead as possible,” Hamilton added

“When you have a 20-30 seconds' lead, that is as painful a blow as you can give to the guy you are fighting.

“If you look at last race [at Interlagos] with no red flag, I would be 30 seconds ahead. That is more of an achievement than backing up your teammate.

“While here it sounds like it makes sense, it is not very practical to do. You have two long DRS zones, it wouldn’t be easy or wise to do so.”

Grosjean column: Magnussen and THAT crash in Brazil

Chris Medland's 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix preview

FEATURE: Hamilton v Rosberg: 2016 F1 drivers' title permutations

TECHNICAL: Under the skin of the McLaren-Honda MP4-31

2017 driver line-ups so far

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

13 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

15 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

16 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

18 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

19 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

20 hours ago