Hamilton racing the record book for motivation after title celebrations

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will dig deep for true motivation at this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix when y return to action for first time since celebrating a unique sixth drivers' and constructors' double this year. A week after shaking off ir hangovers following Hamilton's sixth title success, team has to stay focused for two more rounds of 2019 championship, starting in Sao Paulo and finishing in Abu Dhabi on December 1. Unexpectedly and, perhaps, significantly, Silver Arrows will race at atmospheric and famous Interlagos circuit, where Hamilton won his first title with McLaren in 2008, without team boss Toto Wolff in charge.

Amid a swirl of speculation about his and team's futures, he has decided to miss a race for first time in six years with many observers suggesting his focus is less intense and ors saying that Mercedes may be preparing to leave F1 for or challenges, including Formula E. Wolff rejected idea that any decision to leave was taken when he said "everything indicates that we will stay, but it's t given" and raised concerns about future for motorsport. "In which direction is automotive world developing?" he asked ESPN. "In what form is F1 relevant as an entertainment and techlogy platform? And, as a brand, whose first car was a racing car, do we want to stay on this platform in long term?" Predictably, with major issues settled, much focus in Brazil will be on future of sport in 2020 and beyond -- which makes it inevitable that top drivers and ir teams will be watched and analysed closely.

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Men of future

Hamilton, 35 in January, has been linked consistently with a career-ending move to Ferrari if he loses enthusiasm at Mercedes and needs a final new challenge, but he is likely to banish rumours with a committed showing. men of future -- Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc -- will both also be scrutinized for signs that y are rey to be future champions in F1's new , from 2021, when sport ushers in a new formula. Dutchman Verstappen, linked with both Mercedes and Ferrari, said this week: "I am happy where I am and I want to win with Red Bull. It's team that allowed me to enter F1 and re is a sense of loyalty to m. I feel at home here." He ded that he and Hamilton may have appeared to be involved in verbal jousting recently, but that it was thing serious.

"We never quarrelled -- we have talked to teach or and I respect him." With Hamilton and his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas having finished first and second in drivers' championship, Sunday's race will be more about 'best of rest' as Verstappen, Leclerc and his Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel bid to finish third.

For drivers and teams, prize money running into millions of dollars is at stake as Leclerc, third defends a 14-point vant on Verstappen, who is five clear of Vettel. Leclerc is expected to take a 10-place grid penalty for taking a new engine, but even that news has t encourd Verstappen. "I still think it's going to be hard," he said. For Hamilton, it will be a battle with record book as he continues his quest to overhaul Michael Schumacher who won seven world titles and 91 Grands Prix. Briton w has six titles and 83 career victories. 

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