Lewis Hamilton has F1 world title in one hand - Nigel Mansell

Hamilton has one world title to his name, which came in 2008

Former world champion Nigel Mansell says Lewis Hamilton has "one hand" on the World Championship going into the final race in Abu Dhabi on 23 November.

Hamilton leads Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 17 points, but with double points for the final race, he can be usurped if he is outside the top two.

However, in a special BBC Radio 5 live programme on Wednesday, Mansell said: "I think Lewis has got the upper hand.

"He's got the championship in one hand and I feel sure it's his to lose now."

Mansell is part of a 5 live special entitled F1's Greatest Final Day Showdowns.

The Briton saw the title dramatically taken from his grasp at the final race in 1986 when his Williams suffered a puncture in the closing stages in Australia.

"Everybody felt that I was robbed from the championships and I became the people's champion, borne out by winning the Sports Personality of the Year with the BBC," he said.

"Although I lost the World Championship I felt I won another World Championship with all the support I had."

On the subject of double points, which are being used for the first time and mean German driver Rosberg can become champion if he wins and Hamilton is third or worse, Mansell said: "I'm sitting on the fence with the double points at the last race because I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing.

"I'd hate for either one of them to go into the last race and have a mechanical and lose the World Championship because of double points.

"You have to have reliability, you have to stay away from trouble and back-markers. Punctures and all the things that can happen to you. They'll be focused very, very clearly on nursing that car around the circuit."

F1's Greatest Final Day Showdowns, BBC Radio 5 live, Wednesday 12 November, 20:00 GMT - Jennie Gow will be joined by correspondent James Allen, former McLaren driver John Watson and journalist Maurice Hamilton.