Sunday, October 19, 2008

Hamilton calm over Title Finale

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Lewis Hamilton says he is approaching the title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix with calm and confidence after winning the Chinese Grand Prix.

He has a seven-point lead over Ferrari rival Felipe Massa as he chases a first world championship on 2 November.

"It'll be a similar approach to this weekend," said Hamilton. "A bit calmer, a bit more confident in the package and what we have to do.

"It's not about cruising - it is about a strong finish but it will be tough."

Hamilton's points advantage is the same as the one he held over Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen heading into Brazil last year.

In 2007, he allowed a chance to claim the title in China to slip through his fingers when he slid off coming into the pits.

Then in Brazil he ran off the road trying unnecessarily to pass then team-mate Fernando Alonso before a gearbox problem left him at the tail of the field.

He was able to recover only to seventh as Raikkonen won to snatch the title from Hamilton's grasp.

But Hamilton rejected any comparisons between last year and this.

"It's a completely different year," said the 23-year-old, who could become Formula One's youngest world champion.

"The last race of last year was tough.

"We went to Brazil and we were on the back foot and knowing that Ferrari would be competitive in Brazil.

"We will arrive this year, knowing we have had a good race [in China] and we will settle down and work very, very hard to arrive in Brazil even more competitive.

"I'm feeling very good about it but we will try and do the best we can.

"We will have a similar approach to this weekend, which is a better approach than I had last year."

Massa must finish first or second in Brazil to have any chance of taking the title.

But Hamilton only needs to finish fifth if Massa wins or seventh if the Brazilian is second to secure the crown.

And after a season dotted with errors, Hamilton insists he will rein in his natural instincts to go all out for victory and settle for securing his first drivers' crown.

"We don't have to win in Brazil," he added. "We just have to do a solid job and that's going to be our target.

"[The title] is on your mind but the fact that we have done a good job in China is what we needed to do.

"We still have a tough race ahead in Brazil but I am really looking forward to it."

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