Formula One title win would fulfil 'childhood dream' for Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg
Championship leader Nico Rosberg has admitted he will be fulfilling a "childhood dream" if he secures the Formula One title in Mexico.
Rosberg, who leads Lewis Hamilton in the title by 26 points with just three races remaining, will clinch his maiden championship if he wins on Sunday, and his Mercedes team-mate finishes 10th or lower.
It would appear an unlikely scenario but, given Hamilton's reliability troubles this year, it is not wholly inconceivable that Rosberg could be crowned the sport's 33rd world champion on Sunday night.
"It is a childhood dream, but that is where it ends for me," said Rosberg, whose mantra this season has been to take one race at a time. "The only thing this weekend is winning the Mexican Grand Prix.
"It has been a great season so far, which has put me in this position, and it is exciting to be in this championship battle with Lewis.
"But for me, my way of achieving the best-possible performance, is focusing on things that are in my control and that is here in Mexico trying to win this race."
With the final three events in Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi, a recent study suggests that Hamilton could yet make a remarkable comeback and scoop the F1 crown for consecutive seasons.
According to data compiled by Voucherbox, Rosberg has finished on average sixth on tracks in the Americas and seventh at circuits in Asia across his career, compared to his favoured region Australasia where he typically finishes fourth.
In comparison to Rosberg, things are looking up for Hamilton as results show he achieves an average podium finish on tracks in the Americas and Asia, with him achieving one win and three second place finishes last year alone.
Hamilton's worst drives traditionally take place on European tracks, where he is statistically more likely to finish fourth, one place lower than on all other continents. As a result, he may have good reason to keep the faith in catching Rosberg despite being 26 points behind his fellow Mercedes driver.