• Korean Grand Prix

McLaren drivers not giving up

ESPNF1 Staff
October 21, 2010 « Vettel targets 2007 repeat | »
Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton walk with Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday © Getty Images
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McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton insist the title is still not beyond them despite the margin of the gap between themselves and championship leader Mark Webber.

Hamilton languishes 28 points adrift of Webber with three races remaining and Button a further three behind him, making victory in Korea almost imperative.

"This weekend hopefully we will have a little bit more of a fighting chance against the Red Bulls and Ferrari and hopefully a bit more fortunate as well," said Hamilton in Thursday's press conference.

"I think anything is possible and you can tell that us as a team and Ferrari are pushing very hard, I don't think the gap [to Red Bull] is that big, we have outqualified them in one race maybe, but I think we can close the gap okay."

Although Button's chances are hanging by a thread, the reigning world champion says he will not give up on the title until it is mathematically impossible to win it.

"Every time we go to a race it seems this is the critical race, but it is obviously a lot more difficult for us to win the world championship this year," said Button. "But we've seen in past seasons that anything is possible, we've all had failures this year and issues, so it is definitely still possible after this event if it is mathematically possible.

"It's good to still be involved in the title hunt with three races to go. It's more difficult for me as I am 31 points behind but there is still a possibility and I am hopeful. It will be mixed up, if we look at the last few races, Ferrari and RBR had legs on us a little bit but the next three should be closer and that will make an exciting fight until the end of the season."

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