Lewis Hamilton is revelling in rivalry with teammate Nico Rosberg

Lewis Hamilton arrives at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit ahead of the Mexico GP in Mexico City on Saturday. Pic/AFP

Mexico: Lewis Hamilton is revelling in the daunting challenge of overhauling Nico Rosberg and winning the Formula One world championship.

Hamilton faces arguably the toughest test of his 10-season career with his Mercedes teammate 26 points ahead of him in the title race with only three rounds remaining.

Indeed the Briton can win in Mexico on Sunday, and at the next rounds in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, and still fall short in stopping Rosberg from winning his maiden championship. Furthermore, Rosberg could win the title as early as this weekend if he triumphs in Mexico City and Hamilton finishes 10th or lower.

"I don't feel like I arrive at a grand prix and want it ever to be easy," said Hamilton, who won last year's title with three races to spare. "I love doing things that are difficult.

"If I go rock-climbing I don't go for the easiest wall to climb, I go to the hardest first. It is almost like your eyes are too big for your belly, you go for a bigger plate and you can't actually finish it. I always go for the hardest wall and sometimes make it, sometimes don't. I love the challenge.

"Would I like to be in a different position right now? Of course, but that is now where I am. All I know is that I have this challenge ahead of me, and I am ready to go. I am ready to fight."

Hamilton, 31, appeared on course to march to a third consecutive championship after turning an early-season 43-point deficit to Rosberg into a 19-point lead in time for the summer break. But the British driver has endured a turbulent second half to the campaign. He was forced to start at the back of the field in Belgium after serving a grid penalty for taking on a new engine. His engine then blew up while he was leading in Malaysia, and on course to reclaim the lead of the championship.