Hamilton not looking to rush Drivers’ title

Michelle Foster
Lewis Hamilton experimenting with Mercedes car in Abu Dhabi

Conceding Mexico is not the best race for Mercedes,Lewis Hamiltonis in no “rush” to wrap up the Drivers’ title although he can do at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Mercedes clinched part one of the double in Japanas Valtteri Bottas’ 25 points for the win plus Hamilton’s 15 for third and one for fastest lap gave the Brackley squad an unassailable lead over Ferrari in the standings.

Hamilton’s P3 also meant everyone except Bottas dropped off the list of title challengers.

But witha lead of 64 points over his Finnish team-mate, Hamilton can also finish off Bottas’ challenge next time out in Mexico.

The Brit, though, says he’s in no rush to seal it.

“I think for me it’s never been a case of always wanting to rush things,” he said after the Japanese GP.

“Valtteri’s driven well all year long, he’s done a great job today and he will most likely do a very very solid job these next races, so we still have a battle, the fight continues.

“我认为墨西哥是一般的最糟糕的比赛year because of the way our car is set up and it’s going to be a tough one for us.

“The last few have been pretty shocking, even though we’ve won the title there.”

Hamilton, having won the 2016 Mexican GP, was ninth in 2017 and fourth a year later. That P4, though, handed him title number five.

“I’m hoping for a better weekend but I think it’s going to be very hard to beat the Ferraris with those long straights,” he added.

“We have no hope of getting by on those straights, that’s for sure but even if you look at the others, the McLarens are picking up some serious speeds on the straights, so are the Red Bulls so I think it will be a tricky one.

“I don’t anticipate it will be Mexico. I think we will be battling for a good few races.”

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