Hamilton heads to Mexico with title doubts

Lewis Hamilton doubts that he will be able to secure a result good enough to secure his sixth world championship at Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas' expense in Mexico next weekend.

Hamilton has been crowed drivers' champion at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in each of the past two seasons, picking up suitable results in races both won by Max Verstappen.

If he outscores Bottas by 14 points in Mexico this year his third-straight title triumph will be confirmed, a fortnight on from Mercedes securing a sixth constructors' crown on the spin.

Bottas was victorious in Japan last time out, but Hamilton does not expect Mercedes to be strong at a circuit they have only won at twice, and expects a strong fight from his stable-mate to the end of 2019.

"I think for me it's never been a case of always wanting to rush things," Hamilton said.

"Valtteri's driven well all year long, he's done a great job [in Japan] and he will most likely do a very, very solid job these next races, so we still have a battle, the fight continues.

"I think Mexico is generally our worst race of the year because of the way our car is set up and it's going to be a tough one for us. The last few have been pretty shocking, even though we've won the title there.

"I'm hoping for a better weekend but I think it's going to be very hard to beat the Ferraris with those long straights. We have no hope of getting by on those straights, that's for sure.

"But even if you look at the others, the McLarens are picking up some serious speeds on the straights, so are the Red Bulls so I think it will be a tricky one.

"I don't anticipate it will be Mexico. I think we will be battling for a good few races."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 star Charles Leclerc could miss Spanish GP, faces 'hardest return in sport' with FIA health test

• 1 hour ago

Christian Horner hits recording studio to tell all about controversial F1 exit

• 2 hours ago

F1 News Today: Verstappen admits Mercedes and McLaren talks as Red Bull sign Raikkonen

• 3 hours ago

Monza defeat may cost George Russell more than a trophy: 'That does something to a driver'

• Today 10:57

F1 has an 'AI agent' driver and he's about to become the youngest world champion ever

• Today 09:45

Lewis Hamilton made one big Ferrari mistake and now he is paying - 'Why didn't he get it sorted'

• Today 08:58