Hamilton won't give Brazil win to Bottas

Lewis Hamilton says he will not gift Valtteri Bottas a race win in 2018's final two races as recompense for being given the victory at the Russian Grand Prix by virtue of team orders. Bottas has a better chance of victory in Brazil an Abu Dhabi, by dint of Hamilton having wrapped up his fifth world title in Mexico last time out.

Mercedes' desperation to see off Sebastian Vettel led to the swapping Bottas and Hamilton in Sochi, despite the Finn leading impressively after securing pole position.

Bottas is still without a win in 2018, but may hope for a repeat of last year, when he scored a pole in Brazil before winning the Abu Dhabi GP – successes again eased by Hamilton having already been crowned.

Asked if a repeat of the Sochi team orders could be repeated in Brazil or Abu Dhabi, Hamilton replied: "The team are not going to make that call.

"If I'm in that position - It's not something I've asked Valtteri if he wants that, but I don't think he's going to want that. He's going to want to win it in his own way.

"So I don't know if I'll be doing him any favours in the sense of giving him a win, I don't think he needs that I think he thinks he can do it himself.

"All I can do is try and make sure I'm supportive throughout the process and the weekend. I'm always really open with my set-up, so I'll continue to do so.

"It would be great for Valtteri to finish on a strong note, feel better in the car and finish off strong.

"I think last year he finished off strong and that really set him up for the beginning of this year, which I think he started off strong again, so that is always naturally a good thing."

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