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Hakkinen: Hamilton 'doesn't have to win' in Abu Dhabi

London, England - Mika Hakkinen suspects Lewis Hamilton might not be firing on every cylinder in the odd tail-end races of 2015.

After the new triple world champion dominated for much of the season, it is Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg who is suddenly on form, with two consecutive wins from pole.

Triple world champion

Both of Rosberg's recent wins, however, have taken place after Briton Hamilton wrapped up the title with three races to spare.

Retired double world champion Hakkinen said: "Lewis is now in the situation that he doesn't have to win. He doesn't have to give everything as he did before, since he has already won the championship.

Read: 2015 Abu Dhabi GP: Bickering threatens F1 future

"But since Mercedes is still superior, and there are only two drivers who can win, then if it is not Lewis then the winner will of course be Nico," he said in his latest interview for sponsor Hermes.

Rosberg clueless on recent pace

Even German Rosberg admits that he is not sure why he is suddenly stronger than Hamilton.

The German said: "I am pushing now and I was pushing in the beginning of the season. 

Read: Rosberg revels in 'spoiling' Hamilton's party

"I don't have an exact explanation for why it's going so strongly now, but of course I've been working at it a lot, because Lewis had the upper hand for the first part of the season.

Rosberg added: "So yeah, I'm pleased that it has turned around at the moment but I just want to keep it going."

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