Lewis Hamilton says he hopes to put an end to the “intense pressure” of a Formula 1 title fight by sealing the championship at this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.
Hamilton had his first chance to wrap up the 2018 title in the United States five days ago, but finished third, as rival Sebastian Vettel placed fourth.
That still enabled Hamilton to extend his advantage to 70 points, but Vettel can still mathematically take the title, albeit only if he wins all three remaining races, with Hamilton scoring just four points.
Hamilton is therefore in prime position to put an end to Vettel’s lingering chances on Sunday, and the Briton is hopeful that he can achieve such a feat.
"If I were sitting at home, making toast for breakfast and just watching the races on TV, maybe I would want the title chase to go right through to the end," said Hamilton.
“But I am not at home, and when you are actually living in the situation, you just want to get it done.
"I think there have been times where we finished a little bit earlier in the year, and the rest of the season then wasn't as exciting as if the championship had gone right down to the wire.
“But when you are in it, the pressure is just so intense that, the sooner the pressure is off, the more you can enjoy yourself. Because that pressure is very intense.
“Even if we have opened up a gap as big as the one we have now, there are still lots of points available, and lots of things that can go wrong."
Hamilton also stressed that his own desire to still aim for victories, rather than target enough points to seal the Drivers’ crown, is motivated by ensuring Mercedes can secure its fifth straight Constructors’ title.
"There are a lot of people relying on me,” said Hamilton.
“I also want to win the Constructors' title for the team. At the last race, we lost some ground.
“There are so many people in the team, and you actually feel the pain for them all because you want to deliver for everybody.
“I feel like I've done everything I could, but coming here this weekend and going into these next races, I believe that the team has earned the position it is in, and I need to secure that title because it can make a big difference for them too."
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