McLaren's Lewis Hamilton believes the Formula One title race is far from over despite falling 28 points adrift of Red Bull's Mark Webber at the top of the standings.

The Australian came second in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka behind team-mate Sebastian Vettel to extend his grip this term, as Hamilton could only manage a fifth-place finish.

But, with just three events remaining and 75 points up for grabs, the 25-year-old believes anything can happen in the season's closing stages.

Hamilton also wants to see if the team's engineers can make vital improvements on the car that could make the difference ahead of the Korean Grand Prix on October 24.

"Those guys can not finish the next three races and we could win the next three races. Anything is possible," he said. "We've just got to finish, we've clearly got pace.

"It's been the hardest weekend this year. I lost the world championship in two weekends (in 2007) but I haven't lost it yet so it's definitely not the worst.

"I'm going to go back and push my team like they've never been pushed before and I'll push myself like I've never pushed myself before," he declared.

"I think the fact that you go back is motivating. The fact that you are kicking is motivating. If I was just to leave it right now, not go and speak to the guys and just see how it is at the next race, that's not motivating.

"Engineers are the smartest people in the world but every now and then someone from outside can notice something that maybe they haven't.

"I've no doubts they are doing a great job. The question is how much do you want it (the title)? I know they want it and they have already been squeezed as hard as they could possibly be. But you can always squeeze more."

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