Lewis Hamilton downplayed Nico Rosberg's fifth consecutive pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix by saying he has already won the championship and secured the FIA Pole Trophy.
Hamilton secured the pole accolade at the Belgian Grand Prix, when he had 11 out of 12 from the year, but has only secured one since then at Monza. Rosberg has turned the tables on his Mercedes team-mate in qualifying since Suzuka but in that same period Hamilton has wrapped up his third world championship, which he did with three races to spare.
After losing out by 0.078s to Rosberg, Hamilton used the post-qualifying press conference to remind everyone he has already secured the trophies for Saturday and Sunday this year.
When asked if anything should be read into his downturn in form, Hamilton replied: "Not really. I've had the most poles of the year and I've won the world championship so there's nothing to read into it. You don't always get it right, you can't get it perfect every time."
The Mercedes driver has never won at the Brazilian Grand Prix, a streak he wants to end this weekend as a "salute" to boyhood hero Ayrton Senna. He played down the importance of winning tomorrow's race compared to the world championship.
"My main job is done this year, so it's not the most important thing. Of course that's the target. I've come here, a circuit I haven't actually won it, and last year I was strong in the race and I hope to carry that through to tomorrow and see if I can make the difference."