Lewis Hamilton has demanded answers after an engine failure cost him victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The reigning Formula 1 champion's Mercedes retired while leading the race on lap 43 as flames burst from the back of his car.

Due to championship leader and team-mate Nico Rosberg managing to fight back to third in the race, Hamilton has slipped back to 23 points behind in the drivers' standings which just five races of the season to go.

The three-time champion's title hopes have been affected by mechanical issues throughout the season, particularly in the early races and as he voiced his frustration, the British driver described the situation as "odd".

"I just can't believe that there's eight Mercedes cars and only my engines are the ones that have gone this way. Something just doesn't feel right. It was a brand new engine. It's just odd. There's been like 43 engines for Mercedes and only mine have gone," he told Sky F1.

But he later added that he has "100 per cent confidence" in the Mercedes team despite having suffered the bulk of the mechanical problems this season.