Don't miss Hamilton's open and honest full interview in Sky F1's US GP coverage with Martin Brundle as he discusses the title race, team-mate Nico Rosberg and much more; Race live at 8pm
Monday 24 October 2016 14:13, UK
Lewis Hamilton has admitted to Sky F1 a fresh engine scare is "on my mind" ahead of Sunday's United States GP.
But Mercedes insist the issue is unlikely to affect Hamilton's bid to convert pole position into his first victory since July.
Hamilton has been plagued by engine failures throughout 2016 and his engineers worked overnight on his car ahead of qualifying, in which he beat championship leader Nico Rosberg to pole by two tenths of a second, to change the fuel system on his W07 after an anomaly was spotted during practice.
"I have another problem with my engine and that's something l am conscious of. It's on my mind but I will absorb it and we will find a solution," Hamilton told Sky F1.
But Mercedes have eased Hamilton's concerns by reassuring their driver the issue is unlikely to cost him any discernible track performance.
As he strives to cut Rosberg's 33-point title race lead, victory at Austin is essential for Hamilton, without a win since the German GP three months ago.
Hamilton opens up on Rosberg, the title race and going Stateside
In an exclusive interview with Sky F1's Martin Brundle, which will be played out in full during build-up coverage from 7pm, Hamilton addresses whether Rosberg would be a deserved world champion.
"He's done the job with what he has," says Hamilton.
But Hamilton added it was "unfortunate" the pair have rarely raced wheel-to-wheel this season
Hamilton has launched a charm offensive in Texas after a disappointing both on and off the track at the Japanese GP and he was at his best once again with Brundle - and particularly forthright when asked if he had "lost his mojo" in racing.
"Definitely not," he replied. "Everything that's outside of the car I don't really like. I just like racing."
Conclusions from United States GP Qualifying
The 31-year-old has received a great reaction from American fans this week and also appeared on Ellen DeGeneres' chat show before heading to Austin.
"It's a huge market for Formula 1, and a huge market for me," Hamilton admitted.
