Lewis Hamilton says he is "super excited" for the final race of the 2016 Formula 1 season, knowing he has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The Briton heads into the race starting from pole position knowing he must win, but even that won't be enough as he needs team-mate Nico Rosberg to encounter trouble and finish fourth or lower, therefore the championship is out of his hands.
"It has been a great weekend so far," he said. "Today, this weekend, I got the car in the sweet spot and faultless mechanics again.
"I knew I had pace throughout the rest of the lap. I didn't overcook it into Turn 1, that was where there was a little bit of time [to gain], otherwise the rest of the lap I had it under control, so maximising those areas.
"I am sitting on pole here right now. I feel energetic, I feel confident. Having lost the championship in 2007 – I knew what it felt like. But I have everything to gain tomorrow so I am super excited about it."
No matter the outcome, Hamilton says he will be proud of what he's achieved this season, with many of his lost points a result of reliability problems rather than driving errors, and knowing he's done his best is what counts.
"I came here to drive like I have been doing," he added. "If I perform at my best in these [last few] races I can be here knowing I gave everything and can walk away feeling proud.
"I have other things coming away but managed to battle through all of the adversity I faced this year and I am proud of it."
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