Lewis Hamilton has claimed that he is more prepared than ever before going into the final race of the Formula 1 season on November 23.

Hamilton holds a 17-point lead over Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg ahead of the event in Abu Dhabi, where points count for double to give the German an extra lifeline to cling to.

However, Hamilton is hopeful that he can avoid the drama of his two previous last-race deciders, when he missed out in 2007 and needed a final-corner overtaking manoeuvre to claim success a year later.

"In those two years, as far as I can remember, I definitely felt the tension more over those two weekends. I know I am more prepared now than I have ever been. I am stronger now than I was then, both mentally and physically. It is different now and I hope that experience counts for something," Hamilton told reporters.

"Going into this last one, I don't think there is a special recipe for it. I just have to go and do what I have been doing. I have to drive the way I have been driving in recent races because generally it has been good. What will be, will be. There is no point dwelling on it. It is going to happen one way or another.

"All I can do is make sure I do the best I can over the whole weekend and the rest will follow in whichever direction. Immediately before the race I'll do the same stuff I always do - go and take a pee, then stand for the national anthem and then get on with my driving. That's what I have done at every race this year."

Hamilton must finish in second place to guarantee the title in Abu Dhabi.