Hamilton hoping to hammer away demons for most hated Brazilian GP

Lewis Hamilton simply does not enjoy the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, having only managed one podium finish (third in 2009) in his eight seasons in Formula 1 to date. In fact, in two of the last three years, the Brit has retired from this race. He is a 5/1 not to finish again.

However, what Hamilton does have is points on his side, being 24 ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who has never finished on the podium here, going into this penultimate race in the F1 calendar. As a result, the Englishman is the odds-on favourite to claim his maiden Brazil GP trophy.

Speaking ahead of the race, before the season-ending circuit in Adu Dhabi, Hamilton said: “I want to win every race but ultimately l want to win the championship and so I will do these last two races [with a] calm, collected and calculated approach, the same as I have done this time around, and I am hoping these experiences I have had in the past will make sure I’m stronger than ever before.

“I’m grateful that I have competition. In the last two races I can’t really change what I’m doing because it seems to work. I’ve never won Brazil so that’s my next goal.”

A win for Rosberg (5/2) and another failure on this track for Hamilton, though, would mean that the German would overtake his teammate in the standings by just one point going into the final race, which has double points.

But whatever happens here, Hamilton cannot secure his second career Drivers’ Championship (1/6 odds-on favourite). He can gain a 49-point lead if he wins and Rosberg finishes below 10th, with 50 available in Abu Dhabi.

The Brazil GP has certainly been dominated by Red Bull drivers over the past couple of years, though, with Sebastian Vettel and his former teammate Mark Webber claiming four of the last five (two apiece).

Four-time world champion Vettel has had a poor season, but is a 20/1 chance for his first win of the season and third title on the Interlagos circuit. However, his new partner Daniel Ricciardo, who is third in the standings after three victories this year, represents a better chance at 14/1. They are respective chances at 5/2 and 11/10 to finish on the podium.