Mercedes chiefs have said that Lewis Hamilton is up to psychological "tricks" as his title battle with Nico Rosberg reaches its finale in Abu Dhabi.

Needing a win and Rosberg to finish lower than third to win the title on Sunday, Hamilton began the weekend by referring again to how the team shook up his support crew before the start of the season.

"You'll have to buy my book in ten years time and I'll tell you exactly what happened," said the Briton. "It will be an interested read."

Both team boss Toto Wolff and chairman Niki Lauda have responded to that, Wolff declaring in Abu Dhabi: "Maybe I'll write a book in 10 years and we'll put some things in there."

Lauda told Italy's Corriere della Sera: "I think Lewis was joking.

"But I tell you, if Toto and I decided to do a book, it would be much longer than his!"

Hamilton, however, kept the anti-Rosberg mind games flowing when contemplating the notion that, late on Sunday night, F1 might be crowning a new champion.

"I should keep this private," he said, "but in my heart, with how I have performed this season, I will feel that if [Rosberg] is labelled world champion, it doesn't necessarily mean that to me."

However, Wolff said that he forgives all of the mind games.

"They can't be in love with each other this weekend but they need to play all the tricks to put themselves in a situation to hopefully win the championship," he said.

"Lewis needs that 'me against the world' thing."

Hamilton and Rosberg were fourth and fifth fastest respectively in today's third practice.