Hamilton: Mercedes has no hope on Mexico GP F1 straights vs Ferrari

The Mercedes driver is 64 points ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the standings and a podium finish this weekend could be enough to secure the title.

But Hamilton believes Mercedes will be on the backfoot in Mexico because of Ferrari's straightline speed advantage.

Speaking about his focus on wrapping up the title in Mexico, Hamilton said: "I think for me it's never been a case of wanting to rush things.

"Valtteri's driven well all year long, he's done a great job today and he will most likely do a very, very solid job these next races, so we still have a battle, the fight continues.

"I think Mexico is generally our worst race of the year because of the way our car is set up and it's going to be a tough one for us.

"The last few have been pretty shocking, even though we've won the title there [in 2017 and '18].

"I'm hoping for a better weekend but I think it's going to be very hard to beat the Ferraris with those long straights.

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"We have no hope of getting by on those straights, that's for sure.

"But even if you look at the others, the McLarens are picking up some serious speeds on the straights, so are the Red Bulls so I think it will be a tricky one.

"I don't anticipate it will be Mexico. I think we will be battling for a good few races."

Hamilton needs to hold a 78-points cushion over Bottas after the Mexican Grand Prix to be guaranteed the championship.

Thanks to the addition of a bonus point for fastest lap this year, who takes that could be decisive for whether or not the battle continues to the United States.

How Hamilton can win his sixth title

If Hamilton wins and gets the fastest lap, Bottas needs to be at least third

If Hamilton wins and does not get the fastest lap, Bottas needs to be at least fourth

If Hamilton is second (irrespective of fastest lap), Bottas needs to be seventh or higher

If Hamilton is third and gets the fastest lap, Bottas must be eighth or higher

If Hamilton is third and does not get the fastest lap, Bottas needs to finish ninth, or 10th with the fastest lap

Bottas believes it will be a tall order for him to overhaul Hamilton to the world championship this year.

"I don't really give up on anything as long as there's a theoretical chance so there's no point in that," he said.

"Everything's possible, although I'm realistic as well, I will need to be very lucky, that's a fact, to win all the rest of the races.

"It is my bad, mostly, that I've been behind this much in the points compared to Lewis.

"It's my fault, which I try to fix for the future, but it is where we are now and we just take it race by race and see how it goes."