Lewis Hamilton says he will "move on" and hope for better reliability next year if he loses the title this season.
Hamilton is 19 points behind Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg with two races remaining, meaning Rosberg only has to finish third and second at the next two rounds to secure the title. Hamilton, meanwhile, has to win both and hope his rival makes a mistake or has a reliability issue in either Brazil or Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton won the title in 2008, 2014 and 2015 but missed out on potential victory at the last round in his debut year in 2007 and again (albeit with a much smaller chance) in 2010. Hamilton doubts that losing the title will be as bad this year as it was in 2007 as he now has his three titles as consolation.
"I don't think you can prepare to lose, but I have experienced it before," he said. "I lost in 2007, and I know it won't be as painful as it was then. I've lost many races, I've lost championships through my career so it's not like I haven't experienced it.
"I'm in the scenario right now I know that there's more of a chance that I'll lose it than a win it. It's hard to swallow, but it is what it is. I'll move on, I've still got three so I just really hope that next year I don't have the reliability problems."
Hamilton says his mental approach to the final two races is simple.
"I'm not focused on the championship right now. I'm just focused on trying to win these race and performing at my best. Normally when I perform at my best things like this happen. So that's all I've got to do. I've never won in Brazil so I go in with the same mentality as I had this weekend."