Hamilton seeks strong finish

LEWIS Hamilton guns for a memorable performance. AFP

ABU DHABI (AFP) — Lewis Hamilton heads into this weekend’s season-ending floodlit Abu Dhabi Grand Prix seeking to mark his 250th Formula One race with a memorable performance as Mercedes bid to bounce back from an off-form outing in Brazil.

The six-time world champion, whose future beyond 2020 when his current contract expires has been a subject of intensifying speculation, has conceded that he faces a battle with his advancing age next season against the sport’s new generation of younger tyros.

“I feel like I’m still able to kick it with these guys right now and so I am excited about the future,” said 34-year-old Hamilton.

“But you know it’s inevitable that the youngsters are going to come through.”

Speaking after he finished third on the road in Sao Paulo, before being penalized and dropped to seventh for a late clash with Red Bull’s Alex Albon, Hamilton made clear also that he still relishes on-track battles and hopes next season will see a multi-team multi-driver scrap for glory.

“That would be great for Formula One,” he said.

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff’s future has also been under scrutiny and linked with Hamilton’s as the sport prepares for the introduction of a radical new set of rules to brighten up the racing in 2021.