Hamilton wants more wheel-to-wheel F1 battles with Vettel

Lewis Hamilton says he loves engaging in wheel-to-wheel combat with Sebastian Vettel and would relish more on-track duels with his Formula 1 title rival.

The Briton pulled off successful passes on Vettel in recent races in Russia and Italy on his way to winning both events - results which have proved crucial in opening up a 67-point advantage over the German, which has moved him to the brink of sealing a fifth drivers’ world title.

When asked what it means to him to come out on top of head-to-head fights with Vettel, Hamilton replied: "I love that we have those races and those battles. I wish to have more of them.

"Being able to go up head-to-head with the guy you're competing with, [see] who brakes earliest, who falters, is the ultimate challenge of your mental stability under that pressure.

"I always welcome them and I'm glad, I'm grateful we have had some of those moments, like Russia.The strategy didn't work out well but it was actually good for giving me the opportunity to show my abilities at those pressured moments."

Hamilton, who can now wrap up the championship at the next race in the United States, also said he wished there could be more races like his race-long battle for victory with Kimi Raikkonen at the Italian Grand Prix.

Hamilton and Raikkonen exchanged positions in the early stages at Monza before the Mercedes driver had to catch and re-pass Raikkonen for the win, having spent the entire race split by just a few seconds.

"When we were having a race like Monza - for me I love that race. I would be happy to have that at every race following that,” Hamilton explained.

"I honestly thought that was how it was going to be, given they were so strong in the previous two races. But yeah they've just lost a lot of performance and it's been a little bit difficult for them.

"Of course I would love to race right to the end - every single race I want battles like Monza. Those are the races that I love and welcome them more and more.

"Unfortunately it just isn't the case. I can't let that take away from the great job we're doing and from our happiness."