Lewis Hamilton says he is now perfectly equipped for the pressure of his latest Formula One title-decider.

He heads into the all-or-nothing clash with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in Abu Dhabi on November 23 - dubbed "The Duel in the Desert" - with a 17-point advantage.

The introduction this season of double points for the last race adds controversy to proceedings, and offers Rosberg a stronger lifeline.

But in his eighth season Hamilton's experience will prove vital at the Yas Marina circuit. It's what he lacked in his two other last-race title fights in his rookie year of 2007 and 2008 campaign.

In 2007, he let slip a 17-point lead with two races left with a maximum of 10 points for a win. In 2008, only overtaking on the last corner of the last lap let him become champion.

Hamilton said: "I am more prepared now than I have ever been. I am stronger now than I was then, both mentally and physically.

"It is different now and I hope that experience counts for something.

"Going into this last one, I don't think there is a special recipe for it. I just have to go and do what I have been doing.

"I have to drive the way I have been driving in recent races because generally it has been good … All I can do is make sure I do the best I can over the whole weekend and the rest will follow in whichever direction."