Lewis Hamilton insists he has “definitely not given up” on his Formula 1 title challenge this season.
The McLaren driver lies fourth in the standings, 28 points behind leader Mark Webber with three races remaining.
The 2008 world champion told his website: “I’ve learnt on more than one occasion that the world championship isn’t won until the very last gasp.
“I always look back to 2007 - Kimi Raikkonen was 17 points behind with two races to go but still won the title.”
Sebastian Vettel led home Webber in a Red Bull one-two in Japan, with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso third - all increasing their advantage over Hamilton.
Alonso and Vettel are tied on 206 points, 14 points adrift of Webber, but Hamilton believes he can still close the gap on them all.
“It’s getting more difficult, I’m fully aware of this. But, in a situation like this, I always look back at the 2007 season and what happened in those final two or three races,” he said. BBC Sport
Hamilton suffered gearbox problems all weekend in Japan last weekend - he eventually finished without several gears working - and added that he was pleased to bring the car home in one piece after his two prior results.
“One positive is just the simple fact that I got to the flag, scored some points and kept my world championship challenge on track,” he said.
“We’ve seen how this year’s championship is very much a battle of consistency, so every single point is valuable.
“I want to win again so now I go to Korea believing we can do that. And, who knows, if that happens and the other championship contenders fail to score, then I’m right back in it.”
His McLaren team-mate defending champion and fellow Briton Jenson Button is also confident that his car has the speed to match Red Bull and Ferrari in the final races of the season after coming to within 0.055 of setting the fastest lap in Japan.
Fourth-placed Button, now 30 points behind Webber, refused to write off his chances of keeping the crown, and hopes to take advantage of driving without being under pressure.
“At this time of the season, if you’re ahead on points then you can’t do anything risky, but if you’re behind, then you’ve got more confidence to be aggressive, because you’ve got less to lose,” he said AFP
Whitmarsh believes, is a distinct possibility in the pressure cauldron of the run-in, and he is backing his drivers to stay focused and produce consistent performances when it matters.
“Both drivers have won world championships before - they understand the difficulties of such a unique situation, and both have learned how to deliver their best under high pressure,” Whitmarsh said. “They will be ready for this battle.
“And it’s a battle that will doubtless be won by consistency. While we will continue with our aggressive development strategy, bringing further new components to this race, we’re mindful of the need to bag points at every race.
“Nonetheless, we are committed to winning, and won’t give up without a fight.” Telegraph.co.uk
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