Lewis Hamilton makes deep-seated admission on cusp of title-deciding Formula 1 showdown
Lewis Hamilton says he feels "a million times better" on the cusp of the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix than when he last battled for a Formula 1 world championship on the final weekend of a season.
The seven-time world champion is in that position for the first time since 2016, when he jostled with then-Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg for the title in Abu Dhabi in November of that year.
While Hamilton did everything in his power to snatch victory from Rosberg's grasp in the United Arab Emirates, capturing pole and winning the race, Rosberg finished second, ensuring he retained his lead in the standings. Hamilton had registered more wins and podium finishes, but Rosberg won the title by five points.
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Lewis Hamilton says he's feeling "a million times better" ahead of this year's title decider than that of 2016. Getty
After winning the drama-filled Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Monday (AEDT), Hamilton is locked on 369.5 points with Red Bull rising star Max Verstappen as he eyes a record eighth world championship.
"(I feel) a million times different (to what I did before the 2016 title decider)," Hamilton said.
"It's a much, much different scenario. Completely different and a million times better I feel now than I did then. I feel good."
That's despite the fact this year's world championship is the tightest Formula 1 season in 47 years.
The last time two drivers were even on points come the final round of a championship was when McLaren's Emerson Fittipaldi and Ferrari's Clay Regazzoni went to the United States Grand Prix equal on 52 points in 1974.
Hamilton said that explaining why he felt better in 2021 than in 2016 was "not something I particularly want to go into", but he added that he was "just in a different place in life than in 2016".
"(I'm) facing different resistance in life and this time I'm just in a different and much happier place," Hamilton said.
The Briton will overtake Michael Schumacher as the most successful Formula 1 driver in history if he wins his eighth championship in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton will have to win from position two on the grid, after Verstappen posted the fastest lap in qualifying.
