Lewis: Pressure is offposted in F111 | 11 | 2010

LEWIS HAMILTON heads into this weekend's Formula One finale in Abu Dhabi with one simple thought in mind: going flat-out. The 2008 world champ, 24 points behind the Ferrari of championship leader Fernando Alonso, feels he's under no pressure knowing the maximum he can score on Sunday is 25 points.

Hamilton, who finished fourth in Brazil, knows he has to not only win in Abu Dhabi but also rely on Alonso not scoring and misfortune hitting the Red Bulls of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel if he is to collect his second world crown.

Intriguingly, Hamilton believes being so far back in the title race is actually more beneficial than leading the championship with just one race remaining, as he did in 2007 and '08.

"I've been in the hunt for the world championship at the final race of the season on two previous occasions," he explained, "so I know all about the pressure you feel when the title is almost within touching distance.

"This year it feels a little different. Although I'm still mathematically in with a shout, I'm fully aware that, being 24 points behind, I'll not only need to win the race on Sunday but see the championship leader finish outside the points. And even then, that might not be enough. So I'm not feeling the pressure in quite the same way as I did in 2007 or 2008.

"That's not to say I'm going into the race weekend feeling any less determined or motivated: we've seen before that this championship can be unpredictable and volatile and I think this last race of the year could be even more unpredictable than normal.

"I know from personal experience that the championship isn't over until you cross the line on the final lap, so I'll not only make sure I'm up there at the end, but pushing hard until the very end.

"It's going to be a brilliant spectacle, and a great event for Formula 1 fans around the world – I absolutely can't wait."

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