Hamilton focussed on win despite missing pole

Sao Paulo, Nov 9 (IANS/CMC) With a second World title within touching distance, Lewis Hamilton has trained his sights on winning Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, despite conceding pole position to Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton looked to be in line for pole until his German teammate Rosberg produced a sizzling final lap at Interlagos, to steal top spot by 0.033 of a second in a time of one minute and 10.023 seconds Saturday, reports CMC.

The result automatically put the race in the German's favour but Hamilton remained upbeat ahead of Sunday's showdown.

"Of course pole position is the best place to start here but it's a long race tomorrow. It should be quite exciting with all the pit stops and the weather we don't really know," said Hamilton.

"So I'm here, I want to win, just as much as anyone else here, so I'm going to work as hard as I can tomorrow and hope we get to have a race at least."

Hamilton leads the drivers championship with 316 points, 24 clear of Rosberg in the second, with just two races remaining in the season.

A victory for Rosberg here would set up a thrilling finish to the season in Abu Dhabi in a fortnight where double points will be available.

Hamilton is returning to the venue where he clinched his first World title in dramatic circumstances in 2008 but says history would play no part in his bid Sunday.

"I've not really thought too much about the past here but, as I said, I'm here to win. Going to try to get off the line as quick as possible tomorrow and if I have a shot into Turn One tomorrow, I'll take it," Hamilton said.

"Otherwise, it's a long race, 71 laps here so there's lots of... should be several, two or three stops, so lots can go on during the race. So I'm generally excited and it's not the only opportunity off the start."

Hamilton has never won at Interlagos, finishing fifth six years ago when he won the title.

Meanwhile, the Williams pair of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas will occupy second row after finishing third and fourth respectively in qualifying.

--IANS/CMC

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