LEWIS HAMILTON HAS conceded that the odds are stacked against him if he is to retain his Formula One drivers’ title in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Hamilton trails Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 12 points heading into the final race of the season, with the German simply needing to finish on the podium to wrap up a maiden F1 crown.
And while the Briton arrives in Abu Dhabi on the back of three consecutive victories, he knows the title race is in Rosberg’s hands.
“It’s not been a perfect season and I’m faced with pretty impossible odds no matter what I do this weekend,” he said. ”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.”
But Rosberg insists there are no guarantees as he looks to wrap up a maiden Formula One drivers’ title at the Yas Marina Circuit where he triumphed last season.
“In Brazil, after the race, I was joking that I would still be taking things one race at a time,” he said. “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. Doing a good job on a grand prix weekend is always a challenge. Nothing in this sport is easy, so this won’t be any different and I still have to go all out for a good result.”
