SUZUKA, Japan - Lewis Hamilton said he will not temper his aggressive racing style at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix despite crashing out of the past two Formula One races while attempting ambitious passing moves.

Consecutive non-finishes mean the McLaren driver has dropped to third in the drivers' championship standings with 182 points — 20 behind leader Mark Webber of Red Bull with four races left.

The sharp drop does not put a title out of reach for the English driver, who seized the points lead after winning the Canadian Grand Prix in June before his slip.

Lewis Hamilton says he is desperate to reignite his bid for the 2010 Formula 1 drivers' championship in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

The McLaren driver is one of five men in contention for the title but trails leader Mark Webber by 20 points after crashing out of the last two races.

"I'm doing as much as I can to try and recover," said 25-year-old Hamilton.

"My plan is not to see how hard my team works and then let them down - and let my family, my friends, or myself down."

With Red Bull leading the constructors’ battle by 24 world championship points from McLaren, and just 25 points splitting the top five in the drivers’ standings, there’s everything to play for as the teams prepare to tackle the final four races.

And with the fight so closely poised, the speed and proficiency of car upgrades will become even more vital to a team’s success. McLaren, who have won eight constructors’ titles, know they will have to take a few risks and force development parts on to the track as quickly as possible if they are to stand a chance.