SUZUKA, Japan — Formula One star Lewis Hamilton insisted “nothing has changed” despite his upcoming switch to Mercedes and vowed to fight for the title with McLaren, starting with this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. The 27-year-old Briton, who has agreed a three-year contract with Mercedes starting in 2013, pledged to attack this year's last six races as he bids to overhaul Fernando Alonso's 52-point championship lead. “Nothing has changed. Just as in Singapore, I'll come out fighting at Suzuka and I'll just be hoping for a better result next weekend,” Hamilton said. “In terms of the championship, there's nothing to be gained by analyzing the points tables. From now on, it's simply gloves-off! Bring it on!” The 2008 world champion was the center of attention at the last race in Singapore as speculation swirled over his team switch, and he will again be in the spotlight after confirming the dramatic move. Hamilton has raced with the distinguished British team for his entire Formula One career but was lured to Mercedes by racing guru Ross Brawn and the prospect of greater freedom to pursue personal sponsors, according to reports. The move has triggered a domino effect with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher ushered to the Mercedes exit and Sauber's Sergio Perez set to replace Hamilton at McLaren. Hamilton showed his quality by storming to pole position in Singapore, and looked a certain winner as he led after 22 laps. But a gearbox failure put him out and allowed Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel to claim his second win this year. Ferrari's Alonso finished third and now sits on 194 points, ahead of defending champion Vettel on 165, Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen on 149 and Hamilton on 142. Hamilton's teammate Jenson Button will start with a five-place grid penalty for installing a new gearbox, but also said McLaren was in position to extend a record which includes three wins in the last four races. Meanwhile veteran Schumacher, 43, gave assurances he's still motivated to finish the season in style despite his axing by Mercedes, a move that left his future undecided and could bring his racing career to an ignominious end. “My motivation is completely intact after the news last week, especially because Suzuka is one of the season's highlights for me,” Schumacher said. Ferrari No. 2 Felipe Massa has also promised to put thoughts about his future aside after months of whispers that he could be replaced by the Italian team next year. Mercedes boss blames car Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche has insisted Schmacher's disappointing return to Formula One has been due to its underperforming car and not the driver. Schumacher, 43, returned to Formula One in 2010 after a four-year hiatus, but the seven-time world champion has failed to make an impact on the world drivers' championships. “We have not been able to provide both drivers (Schumacher and teammate Nico Rosberg) in the past three years with a car that was able to win the majority of races,” Zetsche, the head of Mercedes-Benz, told Wednesday's edition of German daily Bild. “With the engine we were competitive, but not with the car. And it would be completely wrong to reproach either Nico Rosberg or Michael Schumacher.” — Agencies
