Lewis Hamilton admits preparations slipped with 2017 F1 title won
Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted his preparations for the final grands prix of 2017 suffered as he celebrated his title
After clinching his fourth F1 crown at the Mexican GP a month ago, Hamilton acknowledged that he had relaxed too much in a similar situation at the end of 2015.
That allowed his then Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg take a series of end of season wins that helped set up his successful 2016 title bid.
Hamilton insisted he did not want to repeat that in 2017, but with the title clinched he crashed in qualifying in Brazil and was then beaten to Abu Dhabi pole and victory by team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton admitted that his extended title celebrations might have compromised his preparation, but insisted that it was not an issue.
"There's zero concern," he said.
"I think it's clear that something happens once you've won the championship.
"And all I can say is the week after I won the championship I partied a lot, with my family, and celebrated, and that's what you do.
"I can tell you that before all the other races that was not the case.
"So sleep, energy has definitely been different on these last couple of races. But nonetheless I still tried to approach them the same.
"But if you don't prepare the same, there's no way.
"So I'm not bothered about that. And next year that will go back to how it was in the second half of the season."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said it would be wrong to compare this year's scenario with 2015.
"He is somebody that is very diligent in progressing and learning," said Wolff.
"I don't think 2015 has happened [again this year].
"He had an accident in qualifying, that happened after he'd won the championship. And where that came from, I don't know.
"These guys are pushing the cars to the limit, and he didn't make a mistake, he didn't put a foot wrong all season, and it happened in Interlagos.
"I'd rather it happened after having won the championship than before.
"And [in Abu Dhabi] he looked very good until qualifying, and then Valtteri just put it all together.
"And I think you just have to acknowledge this was Valtteri's weekend."
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