Hamilton: Mercedes have 2020 head start on rivals

Lewis Hamilton says wrapping up double title glory before the end of the season will help Mercedes get a head start on their rivals for the 2020 campaign.

Hamilton secured his sixth world title in Austin last time out, with the Silver Arrows' sixth constructors' crown in a row having arrived in Japan.

Valtteri Bottas is guaranteed to finish second in the standings behind Hamilton, although both say their desire to perform remains as fierce as ever at Interlagos at Abu Dhabi.

But, with the pressure off, Hamilton says the team can afford to take risks.

Summing up two races with little on the line, Hamilton said: "Doesn't make it easier. I still want to win the races.

"It's just as hard to win these races that are coming up, but it's almost a different approach for me now because you can be a little bit more aggressive and try some different strategies and different ways in how you go about the weekend and the processes.

"We've got two freebies, basically, to try some new things that can [be improved] next year.

"Obviously next year we only have six days as opposed to eight of testing [in pre-season] so every tiny bit of an advantage you can gain in terms of changing things and gaining and being dynamic hopefully can pay dividends next year, so that's our goal."

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