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Hamilton: Double points could 'suck big time'

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Lewis Hamilton says it would "suck big time" to lose the title due to double points in Abu Dhabi and thinks the controversial format should be scrapped after 2014.

Double points has been controversial since being announced for 2014, with even Bernie Ecclestone, the man behind the format, admitting it was "probably not fair" earlier this season. Hamilton has won nine races to Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg's four this year but only leads the championship by 19 points, a slender margin with three races left this year.

When asked about his thoughts about the double points, Hamilton said: "I think the question is, 'what is fair? It's a rule that they have brought in for the first time. Do I agree with it? I don't know if any of us do agree with it or do not agree with it but it is the way it is and you have to deal with it and get on with it, really.

"It would suck if that was the case, big time. But I'm not even going to put that negative energy out there; I'm just going to do the best job I can with the car I have. What will be will be I guess. For the future I wouldn't advise [double points] for the following years."

Hamilton and Rosberg have both suffered reliability issues this season, something Mercedes made a priority after the latter retired from the Singapore Grand Prix. Hamilton thinks his car has just as much of a chance of hampering his chances of a second world title as Rosberg.

"That's a good question," Hamilton said when asked whether he feared reliability or Rosberg more. "They're both relatively decent threats. The guys have worked very hard to eradicate those through the year so I hope we can go through the next few races without any issues for the team. I don't really feel any different to several races ago. As I keep saying, I'm just fighting and chasing the ultimate goal."

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