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 The Briton leads German teammate Nico Rosberg by 17 points going
into Sunday's season-ending 'Duel in the Desert', which means he
does not have to win the race to take the crown even with an
unprecedented double points on offer.
Second place at Yas Marina would do, even if Rosberg were to
triumph, but the scoring potential and shadow of a mechanical
failure or race incident still cast a heavy shadow.
"There is zero comfort going into the next race because it's 50
points to gain," said Hamilton, who took his 2008 title with a last
gasp overtake when all seemed lost.
"In the last race you never know what is going to happen, so I'm
going to the last race to win."
Sunday's double points could be a one-off, with even commercial
supremo Bernie Ecclestone now against continuing the idea he pushed
through, but in other respects it should be more of the same.
Mercedes have already secured both titles and finished one-two a
record 11 times this season, and are now chasing a record 16th win
of the 19 race campaign.
 The nightmare for the team, and particularly Hamilton who has won 10
races to Rosberg's five, is mechanical failure.
To many fans, it would turn the championship into a travesty if he
loses out that way.
"Clearly Lewis breaking down would have a massive impact on his
championship attempt. And it would, for me personally, be a
nightmare," said Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff.
"We need to provide him with the most reliable car and we want the
championship to end in a straight and fair battle and not by one of
them breaking down."
While the focus is on the title scrap between the two Mercedes
rivals, whose relationship has been under the microscope all year,
other battles will be fought behind them in what amounts to a last
roll of the dice for some.
Red Bull are sure of second place while Williams look set to finish
ahead of Ferrari for the first time since they took their last title
in 1997.
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For Ferrari, the sport's most successful and glamorous team, it is
the last chance to stave off their first winless season since 1993.
Sauber are also staring at their first season without a single point
while Caterham, in administration and with a skeleton crew, are
hoping to do enough to convince a buyer to rescue them.
The race will be quadruple champion Sebastian Vettel's farewell to
Red Bull and could also be the final appearance in Formula One of
2009 world champion Jenson Button, Hamilton's former McLaren team
mate.
McLaren, who end a long relationship with Mercedes and start a new
partnership with Honda after Abu Dhabi, are expected to sign
Fernando Alonso from Ferrari and have yet to decide whether to keep
Button or Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen.
Other drivers possibly preparing for their final curtain call are
Sauber's German Adrian Sutil and Mexican Esteban Gutierrez, both
surplus to requirement at the Swiss team.
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
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