With Max Verstappen poised to secure the title either this weekend, or, more likely, next weekend in Japan, Lewis Hamilton has expressed his sympathy for the fans.

"Definitely I feel for the fans," he told reporters, ahead of what could be the weekend that decides the 2022 Drivers' Championship. "For us last year going right down to the wire, that was intense for everybody and so it's never great when a season finishes early, even when I've experienced having it finish early in places like Mexico.

"For you as the one individual, it's great," he admitted. "But for the actual sport it's not spectacular... so I'm really grateful to have had 2008, right down to the last 17 seconds, and obviously last year pretty much the same. Let's hope for the future that it's a bit better."

As he said, 2008 was decided at the final corner on the final lap of the final race, while his 2014 title was also decided at the final race.

However, in 2015 his title was sewn up at the Circuit of the Americas, with three races remaining, and in 2017 in Mexico, the 18th of a 20 race schedule.

He repeated the feat in Mexico a year later, again with two races remaining, as there were when he secured the 2019 championship in Austin, while in 2020 there were four races still to go when he wrapped up the title in Istanbul.

While 2002 saw Michael Schumacher secure the title with six races remaining, there were only 17 races in total, and just 16 when Nigel Mansell claimed the 1992 crown with 5 rounds remaining.

Of course, it won't only be the fans that are left disappointed by an early conclusion to the championship, but you can be certain that Liberty and the guys at the F1 Group are working flat-out to ensure it doesn't happen again.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 01/10/2022 23:57

"An early end to the championship is somewhat of a downer but the series is more than the Championship as a solo event. Whilst RB may have pulled off a great interpretation of the new rules it 'squite obvious that Mercedes have messed up, very big time and built a dog! RB should not be seen as anything other than extremely successful and the blame for an early end to to the series, points wise, should lie at the feet of the Mercedes team including the drivers. I doubt if he would be expressing the same sentiments if the roles were reversed and it was he who was looking to sew it up early...."

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2. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 30/09/2022 14:59

"He's right from the fan and commercial perspective. "

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3. Posted by Rock Doc, 30/09/2022 1:04

"Doesn't bother me if the championship is sewn up early. Usually there is still a lot to race for the other positions further down the grid when even point means more money.

Also usually after winning the champion seems to be more relaxed and free.

For Charles it will not be fun though. It will still be interesting to see how the rest do."

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4. Posted by alvarezh3, 29/09/2022 21:34

"For all I care, the champion could be crowned after the first race. I don't watch any racing series just to find out who the champion will be. I enjoy every race individually as a single spectacle, therefore, when the series champion will be declared has no influence what-so-ever on me viewing or not the series to the end of the year.
So, Lewis, I am one less F1 follower (I am not a fanatic to, for, or, of anything. To be a follower or a fanatic are two very different ways to show enthusiasm, or interest for something or someone) you have to "feel" less to."

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5. Posted by Fambank, 29/09/2022 17:30

"I rate Lewis as a driver extremely high.

But this is saying you're disillusional, without saying you are disillutional."

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6. Posted by ChickenFarmerF1, 29/09/2022 17:20

"Liberty must be working hard to resurrect Turk Thrust.

Dear Lord, I miss Mike Lawrence. "

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7. Posted by prime, 29/09/2022 16:48

"Nico Rosberg 2016 FIA Formula one World Champion, who beat Lewis in equal machinery. Lewis failed to defend his title at the last race in Abu Dhai."

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Hamilton feels for fans as early conclusion to title looms

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