Lewis Hamilton reveals true thoughts on Sebastian Vettel battle ahead of F1 return
LEWIS HAMILTON has explained why he feels the pressure has been cranked up this season.
Championship points: Hamilton and Vettel battle it out
Hamilton is involved in a fierce battle with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel as both men hunt a fifth World Championship.
The Mercedes star, who penned a two-year contract extension during the first week of the summer break, leads Vettel by 24 points in the Drivers’ Championship.
However, Ferrari have often appeared much quicker than their rivals and Hamilton knows it will be difficult to keep fending off the Prancing Horse.
There are just nine races remaining once the teams return from the break at the Belgian Grand Prix on August 26 and Hamilton needs an error-free finish.
“We are racing a team that is faster than us this year,” he said.
“Last year we were quite balanced, as there were some weekends they were faster than us and some weekends we were faster than them.
“But this year it is swinging more in their direction.
“We are having to over-deliver on race weekends and pull out more on weekends where we are not quick enough.
"The pressure to extract every millimetre of every ounce is greater than ever if I want to be number one at the end.
“Ultimately last year we reached just as high in terms of pressure at some point - it is just that this year it is even closer than last year as you know, so the smallest mistakes are even more costly.
“Then there is more pressure.
“That is the same for any sport if you know the last shot or last serve is the most important point it is the most intense battle.”
Hamilton beat Vettel to the World Championship last season with two races to go.
But this year looks highly likely to go right down to the wire.