Italian GP: Lewis Hamilton backtracks over Formula 1 title pessimism

Although the Mercedes driver is 81 points adrift of Sebastian Vettel in the title standings - with just seven races remaining - he has told his fans and teams that he will keep battling on.

"When I got out of the car I was angry, and definitely thought that would be it," said Hamilton, referring to his declaration immediately after the Italian Grand Prix that his title hopes were finished.

"But I've been back with my engineers and I'm not going to give up.

"I basically need to win every race, which is the tallest order ever, but I can do nothing but try."

Hamilton has always believed that F1's return to high downforce tracks - like Singapore's Marina Bay - will resurrect his hopes of fighting Red Bull for wins.

And although he says nothing can be taken for granted judging by Red Bull's pace in Belgium and Italy, he still has hopes of an imminent lift in form.

"Our car was good in Hungary when we had higher downforce, and we'll have that going into Singapore where we can hope for some improvements," he explained.

"I hope we'll be strong, get some more wins this year. I wish it was a closer battle at the front. It's a shame it is like it is."