The four-time champion suffered from his engine overheating, the same problem that afflicted teammate Valtteri Bottas, while chasing eventual race winner Sebastian Vettel in Melbourne.

Hamilton said he wanted to push to the end but did not because he was nervous as teams must now complete the season with just three engines, instead of four.

“The engine was overheating, and I’ve got to do seven races with this engine, preferably more if I can,” he explained. “I was on the limiter, and I was too hot, but I was pushing.

“So, I was nervous of damaging the engine at the same time.

“I just thought [near the end] I couldn’t get him in those other laps, my tyres are going to be worse than now, I’m driving right now at 110 percent, I’m risking everything just for that seven points.

"I should p

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