ABU DHABI (AFP) – Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton mentioned his “unbelievable” Mercedes crew had crushed the chances to present him an opportunity of claiming an unprecedented eighth world title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (Dec 12).
Title rival Max Verstappen, in the meantime, mentioned he hoped that the championship wouldn’t be settled by “controversial selections” by the stewards.
Hamilton heads into the season finale on the again of three successive Grand Prix victories to place him stage on factors with Purple Bull’s Verstappen.
“We’re into unmarked territory as a crew,” mentioned Hamilton, 36, throughout Thursday’s pre-race press convention.
“Clearly, with the 12 months that we have had, I’m positive many individuals would have dominated us out being this shut proper on the finish.
“It has been an unbelievable group effort from everybody again on the manufacturing facility and on the monitor.
“Nobody has ever completed eight earlier than however I really feel grateful.”
Hamilton, who was 23 when he gained his first title in 2008, empathised with the 24-year-old Verstappen who’s bidding for his first title.
“I bear in mind what it is like going to your first, so I do know. I had these experiences and the rollercoaster of feelings that you simply undergo,” he mentioned.
The younger Dutchman gained in Abu Dhabi a 12 months in the past however was cautious about his hopes of repeating that success and taking the crown on Sunday.
“After final 12 months, I did not have a number of hope that we might be sitting right here on the finish of the season combating for a title,” he mentioned.
“However I feel from the beginning, we had been very aggressive. We had good outcomes, a little bit of dangerous luck as nicely. However general we could be actually pleased with the entire crew effort, to be sitting right here and combating for this title.”
The battle between the drivers has been marked by various incidents on the monitor, notably at Silverstone when Verstappen ended up within the crash limitations and at Monza when the Purple Bull went airborne and landed on high of the Mercedes.
In final Sunday’s Saudi Arabian GP, Verstappen was ordered to surrender the result in Hamilton for an unlawful manoeuvre and handed a five-second penalty, prompting ideas, not least from former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, that the stewards had been favouring Mercedes.
Each drivers, nonetheless, performed down the worry that the title may be selected Sunday on the whim of the stewards.
“I do not find out about what’s developing, in fact however I feel already, all year long, there have been a couple of issues which had been possibly a bit controversial,” mentioned Verstappen.
“However sure, it’s what it’s. You may’t actually do something about it. I feel we simply need to concentrate on the constructive for this weekend. We simply need motion on the monitor.
“I feel from each side we wish to win clearly and it must be about that, not about controversial selections.”
The skilled Hamilton, who at the moment shares the report of seven titles with Michael Schumacher, shrugged off the suggestion that the stewards can have the ultimate say.
“I simply do not give it any vitality,” he mentioned. “I am right here for a terrific race. We’re arriving on a constructive as a crew. We have the automotive in a terrific place.
“They (Purple Bull) gained right here final 12 months so doubtless, they are going to be robust this weekend.
“However I feel we now have chased and caught up loads. I feel we are able to come right here and be robust this weekend.”
