Hamilton unfazed by mind games

ByAutoSport

Published 22/11/2014 at 17:54 GMT

Formula 1 championship leader Lewis Hamilton insists that he is not bothered by Nico Rosberg's mind games in suggesting that he is the one making mistakes under pressure right now.

Eurosport

Image credit: Eurosport

Rosberg says that Hamilton's spin in Brazil, plus his failure to capture pole in Abu Dhabi, has given him hope that his title rival may slip up in the season finale.

But Hamilton believes that Rosberg's claims are just part of the German's way of dealing with the intensity of the situation they are in.

Hamilton said: "I don't really pay much attention to him! Today, I think in mistakes I made the same amount as him.

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"He actually had to do an extra lap on the actual race tyre which hopefully will have an effect tomorrow.

"There have been very, very few mistakes during the year so I am not worried.

"Of course Nico is trying everything possible in his head to come up with some kind of way of dealing with things, that is how he deals with it.

"Me? I just keep it to myself and do my talking on the track.

"Today he did a great job in Q3 and I will make up for it in tomorrow's race."

Rosberg is adamant, though, that he is boosted by Hamilton's recent struggles, and says the fact a win is all but essential makes life a bit easier for him.

"Lewis has everything to lose; I have everything to gain, so for sure the pressure is on him.

"That's my opportunity, to keep the pressure on him as much as possible and maybe he will make the mistake, which we saw today for example, and in Brazil also.

"In Brazil I tried to keep the level as high as possible and push him into that mistake. If there is a Williams a bit closer it could be enough. Who knows?"

NO MASTER PLAN

Hamilton only needs to finish right behind Rosberg to win the world championship.

But despite that relatively straightforward task, he insists he is not taking it easy - and cannot deviate yet from his normal game plan of gunning for victory.

"I think it is very difficult to go into it [the race] with a plan," he said. "Every race, my goal is to win. It always is every race weekend.

"Naturally you are always trying to drive towards the limit. You don't want to go over and above the limit and, depending on the situation you choose, how close to the limit you want to be.

"In the last race I stepped over the limit, I won't be doing that tomorrow, but I can still win by not going to that. As the race unfolds, I will take decisions along the way.

"I know from experience, I will be better prepared than I ever have been."

HOW THE TITLE WILL BE WON IN ABU DHABI

Rosberg wins the title if:

* He finishes first and Hamilton does not finish second

* He finishes second and Hamilton is outside the top five

* He finishes third and Hamilton is outside the top six

* He finishes fourth and Hamilton is outside the top eight

* He finishes fifth and Hamilton is outside the top nine

Hamilton wins the title if:

* He finishes first or second

* He finishes third, fourth or fifth and Rosberg doesn't win

* He finishes sixth and Rosberg is outside the top three