04/04/2016
NEWS STORY
Lewis Hamilton insists he is unmoved by his teammate Nico Rosberg's continued winning streak.
A lights-to-flag win yesterday, means that Rosberg has won the last five Grand Prix. Indeed, Hamilton has not won a race since securing the title last year in Austin.
However, the Briton was keen to dismiss speculation that it it is his German teammate who has the psychological edge.
"I couldn't care less if he's won the last five," the world champion told reporters. "It's the last two, only two in the season so it doesn't count, the last five.
"If you win consecutively in a season that's something," he added. “But five over two seasons, for me that doesn't psychologically mean anything.
"I feel really positive generally," he continued, "even though we have lost the first two races. I've had two poles and we are going to get more. There's no real flaws in our procedure and how we are working. It will start getting better.
"This is a psychological game, for sure," he added. "It is a battle. I guess with age and experience, I'm in the most solid place I've ever been psychologically. There's very little if anything that can penetrate that... there's a long way to go.
"You can't win them all," he smiled. "Not that this is the same, but Muhammad Ali with that Rumble in the Jungle, he got the dude to believe that he was winning and he didn't. So anything can happen."
The Briton was referring to the legendary fight with George Foreman in Zaire - now the Democratic Republic of the Congo - in which Ali regained his title by leaning against the ropes and absorbing the punishment as Foreman punched himself out. For round after round, Ali took the beating as Foreman visibly tired. Eventually Ali made his move, following a series of punches he followed up with a left hook that put Foreman on the canvas, the champion unable to make the count.
Arguably one of the greatest fights in boxing history - and the subject of an excellent documentary, When We Were Kings - it is understandable that Hamilton might see this as an inspiration.
Just 19 rounds to go.
Check out our Sunday gallery, here.