Lewis Hamilton rules out backing Nico Rosberg up in F1 title decider

Even if Hamilton wins Sunday's race, Rosberg will be world champion provided he finishes on the podium.

That prompted Horner to suggest it would be "smart" of Hamilton to back Rosberg towards the rest of the back and hope the likes of the Red Bull drivers got between the two Mercedes.

But Hamilton doubts this would achieve anything and says he would rather try to gain a psychological edge by dominating.

"That has never been my thought process," he said of Horner's recommendation

"If I am out ahead I want to be as far ahead as possible.

"When you have an 18-30-second lead that is as painful a blow as you can give to the guy you are fighting.

"If you look at the last race, with no red flag I would be 30s ahead.

"That is more of an achievement than backing up your team-mate.

"While it sounds like it makes sense, it is not very practical to do - you have two long DRS zones, it wouldn't be easy or wise to do so."

Rosberg does not expect the event's title-decider status to make any difference to how he and Hamilton race each other.

"It will be a weekend like any other where I am going to go for the race win and will do what it takes to get that - and that is it," he said, adding that he would drive "within the limits of what is acceptable" when racing Hamilton.