Oscar Piastri insists he still wants to win the final two rounds of the F1 season, for his "own pride, ego and opportunities", but acknowledges the situation is now out of his hands.
Following fourth place in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Australian trails Lando Norris by 30 points in the standings, as the McLaren team-mates fight for their first F1 drivers' championship.
With just 58 points on offer, Piastri was quick to highlight that he now needs things outside of his control to fall in his favour.
Nonetheless, he stood tall after the 50-lap race in Sin City, maintaining he would aim to capitalise on whatever comes his way.
When asked by RacingNews365 if he still believes he can win the crown, he replied: "I think so, but it's obviously now in the position where I can't just win it by winning races, but what I can do is put myself in the best position to capitalise on if something does happen.
"So, for my own pride, ego and opportunities, I want to win the next two races, but that's all I can do.
"And if things go my way, things go my way, and if they don't, then it is what it is — and I'll try my best to have a good couple of last weekends."
The nine-time grand prix winner was torn, however, as to whether the reality of the title fight now takes the pressure off him.
"Yes and no," the 24-year-old explained. "It is an outside chance now. Again, like I said, I need things kind of outside of my control to also happen.
"So, in some ways, yes, but it doesn't change the desire to want to do my best and try and win, and that's what I'll be focused on."
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