Lewis Hamilton only needs to finish fifth or higher to secure a fourth Formula 1 drivers’ championship but he is aiming to do it in style this weekend in Mexico.
The British driver is 66 points ahead of nearest title challenger, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, and despite the pressure being somewhat less than usual, Hamilton wants to be on the top step of the podium at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
He told the BBC: “I want to show what I’m capable of in every race. I have no desire to finish fifth and win the championship while someone else stands on the top step.
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“The dream would be to stand on the top step having won the championship.”
Vettel wants to win final three races
He may be 66 points behind Hamilton in the drivers’ championship but that will not stop Ferrari’s Vettel. The German wants to win the three remaining races of the season - starting in Mexico on Sunday.
He said: “It’s not over. Overall it has been a very good year. Nobody expected us to be that strong to start with, or mid-season or awards the end.
“The pity is there were a couple races where we were just not there to fight. They got away from us.
“We want to win the last three races and I think we can. Then we see what happens. The team has done incredible to be where we are now. We proved everybody wrong.”
Alonso heading to Daytona
McLaren F1 driver Fernando Alonso will compete at the Daytona 24 Hours race in January 2018.
Driving for the United Autosports team, which is owned by McLaren executive director Zak Brown, Alonso said he is excited with the “challenge” of racing at Daytona International Speedway.
Alonso told Sky Sports: “Learning about a completely new racing category, adapting to a different car and to another style of driving and everything that goes with it, is a new challenge for me and I can’t wait to test myself again as a driver.
“The Daytona 24 Hours is the most iconic US endurance race and one of the world’s great races. Everyone knows it.”
Verstappen pleased with Red Bull progress
Max Verstappen has impressed with Red Bull this season and the 20-year-old believes they have been the most improved team of 2017.
Verstappen, who has extended his contract with Red Bull until 2020, is optimistic of the team’s future.
“I can see the progress that we have taken this year,” he told F1.com. “We had massive upgrades on the car, true – we had to – but I also believe that we have improved the most in the whole paddock. Having seen all this I believe that we can fight for titles with a truly great package.”
How to watch the Mexican Grand Prix on TV
The Mexican Grand Prix starts at 7pm on Sunday evening and will be shown live on Sky Sports F1. Highlights will be shown on Channel 4 at 10.30pm.
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