Hamilton fuels hope for team title

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With just three races to go after the Grand Prix of India at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida this weekend, former F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton concedes that his chances are all but over this season.

But the 27-year-old Briton wants to end his long association with his first F1 team on a high as he prepares to move out of the McLaren stable to Mercedes next season.

“The target for the remainder of the races is to help the team win the constructors’ championship since winning the drivers’ title is theoretically not possible,” Hamilton said here on Wednesday.

“If we win the drivers’ title, it will be nothing short of a miracle and I’m ready to eat my words. But it would be fantastic to leave on a high.” Hamilton, with 153 points, is fourth, 62 points behind leader Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel (215) whereas in the constuctors’ table, McLaren are third with 284 points, behind Red Bull (367) and Ferrari (290).

Hamilton, who will replace Michael Schumacher at Mercedes next season, brushed aside a suggestion that his move was filling up the German’s shoes.

“I don’t see it as taking over Schumi’s place. The intention was not to come into his way. He has done more than any other driver for F1 in the world. I have seen him winning those championships sitting in my home. To jump to his seat is a privilege.”

Reflecting on the season with McLaren this year, where he won three Grand Prixs, but was troubled by the car in the second half with as many as five retirements, Hamilton said it hadn’t been a great season for the team.

“As a team, we lost quite a few opportunities, we had some chances but could not capitalise on them. It’s unfortunate to lose points due to car issues.”

“We had some wins but we have that many almost every season. I am expecting some good races ahead and hopefully, there are no reliability issues with the car.” Hamilton, who finished seventh at the last year’s inaugural F1 race in India, will hope that his tyres will not degrade as much as last year’s race to have a realistic chance of a podium finish.