Niki Lauda admits Lewis Hamilton's title hopes look to be over.

While some may say the 'fat lady' is already gargling before she breaks into song, others are not so sure.

Going into the final rounds we've seen drivers overcome greater deficits than the 33 points Lewis Hamilton trails Nico Rosberg by, and let's not forget the Hollywood-type conclusion to the 2008 championship.

Sadly, however, this year's title might not be decided so much by Rosberg's new found self-belief, Mercedes reliability or Hamilton's sensitivity, rather a British media seeking pay back.

Whatever Hamilton's issue with the press might be, and it will only get worse as Fleet Street seeks to hammer the guy and he falls for it, F1 legend Niki Lauda, who has experience of overcoming the odds, believes the title is already lost.

"Nico is doing everything right at the moment," said the Mercedes non-executive chairman and three-time world champion. "If everything is going normal, the championship could be decided in the next few races, and Lewis won't be able to catch Nico any more. This is perfectly clear to me.

"It is only lost and won when the points are gathered," he continued, "but if nothing happens to either car, I don't think Lewis will be able to turn it around again."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by gormsen, 14/10/2016 11:46

"I am personally not a fan of Lewis Hamilton but personally feel that Mr.Lauda should keep his big mouth firmly closed when it comes to making such stupid and idiotic comments as there are still four more races remaining. "

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2. Posted by Kkiirmki, 11/10/2016 20:02

""A gifted championship", "Lucky" what a load of garbage. I’m not sure how a driver with 9 race wins, so far, can ever have been gifted a championship or been lucky. Rosberg’s simply been the more consistent driver for a large portion of the season; he’s not been immune to various issues either: Brake issues in Monaco, ending up at the back of the field in Malaysia (thanks to Vettel), etc.

Hamilton’s not the first driver to have suffered set-backs during a season, and he won’t be the last. If Mercedes was deliberately sabotaging Hamilton’s car, if their intention was for a German driver to win the WDC, why start now, and not three years ago? Not to mention how relying on only one driver could affect their manufacturers title.
If, and that’s a pretty big if at this stage, Rosberg manages to win the championship, it will be thoroughly deserved title.

Rosberg’s in the form of his life and I’m sure, however (if) he wins the title, he won’t be losing any sleep over any negative comments.
"

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3. Posted by nonickname, 11/10/2016 15:35 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 11/10/2016 15:46)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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4. Posted by Spindoctor, 11/10/2016 11:40

"Conspiracy or no, the simple facts are that Mercedes has not provided Hamilton with the right tools for the job. Despite this he has managed to keep more-or-less in touch with Rosberg, whose car has not (apparently) been 100%, but has worked better when it counts than Hamilton's.

The most astonishing thing about this year's WDC is Mercedes' inability to produce two reliable cars.
Even more amazing is their incompetence in producing and failing to fix a clutch so hyper-sensitive that the drivers' gloves might be a factor in making it work. Perhaps they could ask their customer teams for a bit of help?

None of this augurs too well for next season when their power advantage will certainly diminish and aerodynamics\downforce looks likely to be a key factor."

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5. Posted by Jonno, 11/10/2016 7:54

"Should Rosberg Jnr win the WDC, he'll be forgotten in the same way that Rosberg Snr has been. They will both be a couple of lines in the history of F1. No one ever went to see a F1 race to watch either of them. Those who doubt my words, take a look at who's getting all the attention this year, despite only winning one race. Which driver running around in midfield is frequently described as the best current F1 driver, despite not winning race for over 3 years.

Rosberg - who he? The champ who got lucky.

"

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6. Posted by Kico28n, 10/10/2016 23:54 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 11/10/2016 15:46)

""It is clear to all Mercedes manufactured a hollow championship for Rosberg".....errrrr... no it is not Telstar. Only you Hamilton fanboys look at it this way. Nico has driven well & thoroughly deserves to win the championship this year, just as Lewis had deserved it the previous two years. Not that anything I or anyone else will say that will convince you & your "Lewis can do no wrong" buddies otherwise. All quite sad actually."

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7. Posted by scf1fan, 10/10/2016 15:46

"Sorry Telstar, pfft to the conspiracy theories, and pfft to Lauda as well. I am no LH fan, but his ability to make the most out of the worst astounds me. The odds aren't that farfetched that some ill will beset NR; it almost happened last week, and in that case, NR showed his mettle. One DNF or none scoring finish for NR and LH will be right back in it. So my question is, is LH champion enough to race to the end? Or will he give up? Actually, I think he is the former . . . (I just wish he would act more like it.) Sorry if this reposts . . . "

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8. Posted by telstar, 10/10/2016 14:59

"A gifted championship based on Hamilton's car mechanical problems. From the start of the season, Hamilton has been prevented from challenging Rosberg on track with a crap car while Rosberg is allowed to cruise to the championship lead unchallenged. It is clear to all Mercedes manufactured a hollow championship for Rosberg and a real shame it is done at Hamilton's expense."

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Lauda concedes Hamilton cannot catch Rosberg

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