Hamilton points to Verstappen: 'I'm grateful'

Lewis Hamilton has the opportunity to capture his eighth world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Although the Briton has plenty of experience of competing for the world championship, this season he has enjoyed the fight the most.

At the start of the season, Mercedes once again seemed to be the favourite for the world title, but that soon changed when Verstappen started winning races. In the first half of the season, the Austrian racing stable made a better impression and the Dutchman seemed to be well on his way to taking the top prize. However, nothing was further from the truth.

Hamilton fights back

Hamilton and Mercedes battled on and proved to have the better package in the autumn, bringing Hamilton closer to Verstappen at lightning speed. Thanks to his victories in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia he is exactly on a par with his competitor, so everything will come down to the last race.

"It’s been an incredible year, an amazing battle and I’m grateful that I’ve had such a close battle with Max and his team," Hamilton therefore revealed in the press conference of the FIA. "I think they’ve done an exceptional job and shown true strength and so it’s pushed us to the limit in ways that we needed."