Lewis Hamilton believes his attacking driving style will pay dividends at next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix on the high-speed Suzuka circuit.
Hamilton has vowed not to change his approach to racing despite being involved in a string of incidents this year, two of which have resulted in retirements while the others have cost him points. But it is his ability to attack the circuit over a single flying lap that he thinks will really put him in good stead in Japan as he looks to bounce back from another below par result in Singapore last weekend.
"I think Suzuka will play to my strengths: it's a track that really requires you to drive in an attacking way to be able to get a good lap time," he said. "It's an uncompromising place. But that's when the thrill of driving a Formula One car is at its highest; when you know you can't afford a single mistake and where driving on the absolute limit is the only way to get the best time. In that sense, it's a lot like Monaco, and maybe that's why I like the place so much - it's unique."
Hamilton has yet to finish on the podium since Formula One returned from its summer break in August, while Sebastian Vettel has won all three races in the Red Bull. The McLaren driver said he will be wary of Red Bull's pace in Japan but is confident his team can also challenge for victory.
"I think we're headed there in pretty good shape: we know that the Red Bulls will be strong - but we also have a very quick car, and we can make it work on different kinds of circuit," he said. "Suzuka is another reasonably high-downforce track, which should play to our strengths. The weather in Japan in the autumn is always unpredictable - we've seen before that it can be beautifully sunny and hot or extremely cold and wet. I'll take any conditions as long as I can race hard."
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