While it has been a season of success for Lewis Hamilton as he won his fourth drivers’ world championship, not everything in his sporting world has gone perfectly in 2017.
Speaking to journalists in the Yas Marina Circuit on Thursday in a promotional event ahead of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, the Briton conceded it had been a less than ideal time for Arsenal, the football team he supports, as for the first time since 1996 they failed to qualify for the Uefa Champions League this season.
Of the Premier League side, he said: “I’ve been an Arsenal fan since I was five.
“They’ve definitely had a difficult year again, but I’m always hopeful that things are going to grow for them. They need more money.”
Hamilton on the other hand has had a fine year, winning his fourth title with two races to spare.
But the 32-year-old driver has no intention of resting on his laurels and is looking at more ways he can improve.
“For me it’s just I’m always wanting to move forwards, I’m always wanting to be ahead of the game, I’m always wanting to be two steps further ahead than everyone else that’s also trying to be two steps ahead of the game,” he said.
“So it’s about raising the bar every time, whether I’m training, whether it’s in the car, understanding the technology that I’m working with, understanding the people that I’m working with.
“Each year, it’s moving. Already now, we’re already working on next year’s car, and I’m already getting my mind into understanding that – how can I understand that better than every other driver.”
Hamilton broke Michael Schumacher's record for most F1 pole positions this season as he surpassed the German's tally of 68, and he is now on 72 ahead of qualifying on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
He has 62 race wins, 29 behind Schumacher’s record in that category.
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Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel prepares for first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Christopher Pike / The National -
Mercedes-GP's Valtteri Bottas during first practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit. Christopher Pike / The National -
Mercedes-GP's Lewis Hamilton, tied with Sebastian Vettel on three Abu Dhabi Grand Prix wins, drives out on to the Yas Marina Circuit track. Christopher Pike / The National -
Red Bull's Max Verstappen, the most exciting emerging driver in F1, is out and about at Yas Marina Circuit. Christopher Pike / The National -
Verstappen's teammate Daniel Ricciardo is eager to get out there to prove his title credentials for 2018. Christopher Pike / The National -
The Australian Ricciardo has much to prove in the final race of the 2017 season. Christopher Pike / The National -
Verstappen of the Netherlands will be one to watch out for in Abu Dhabi as well as in 2018. Christopher Pike / The National -
Hamilton, meanwhile, has already saealed the F1 title but wants to keep the momentum going. Christopher Pike / The National -
Crew members push Verstappen's car in the pits. Christopher Pike / The National -
Felipe Massa will be driving in his final Formula One race, unless Williams find a way to convince him to stay - again. Christopher Pike / The National -
Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen will likely be a handful in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
Fans take in the first practise session at Yas Marina Circuit. Christopher Pike / The National -
Crew members work on Verstappen's car during first practice. Christopher Pike / The National -
Vettel won his first battle with Hamilton by recording the fastest time in the first practice session. Christopher Pike / The National -
The German Vettel will want to end the season on a high after missing out on a fifth title. Christopher Pike / The National
But Hamilton said it was not records that motivated him.
“I never look at records. I don’t know why. It’s kind of cool when people mention it to you – ‘Hey, you just broke this record today’ – but that’s not my goal.
“I don’t think that’s really what defines who you are. It’s your work ethic, it’s how you’re pushing forwards. I’ve now won four championships and I want to win another one.”
Hamilton goes for a fourth win on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, with the race starting at 5pm.
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Read more
Ricciardo: Red Bull driver to have 'a proper crack' at title in 2018
Stroll: Williams driver keeping feet on ground after debut season
Bottas: On 'tough' season and his 'challenge' to rival Hamilton
Talking points: Vettel could hand Ferrari elusive victory at Yas
2017 race weekend: All you need to know about racing at Yas
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