Oct 16, 2008, 11:21 GMT
Shanghai - With just the Chinese and Brazilian Grand Prix races remaining last season, McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton had an advantage of 12 points over his closest rivals.
British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of McLaren Mercedes waves in the paddock of the Shanghai International Circuit, 16 October 2008. The Chinese Formula One Grand Prix will take place in Shanghai on 19 October 2008. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL
He threw away his commanding lead in the last two races however, when he bizarrely decided not to change from intermediate tyres and slipped off the track and retired (Chinese GP) and twice ran off the track and finished just seventh (Brazilian GP).
The championship went to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, whose victories in China and Brazil, allowed him to make up the 20 points he was behind Hamilton with two races remaining, and take the title.
At the time some of the pundits said that the youngster, who was attempting to become the youngest-ever Formula One world champion, had simply cracked under the pressure.
This year, with the same two races remaining, Hamilton has a five point advantage over Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Hamilton's statements before last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix seemed to suggest that he did, in fact, contribute towards losing the championship the year before.
Hamilton said that this time around the most important thing was simply to finish well and pick up enough points to win the title.
The Briton, who went into Sunday's race in Fuji from pole, however failed to finish in the points after being given a drive-through penalty for pushing Raikkonen wide on the first corner, prompting speculation that the pressure was again getting to him.
Hamilton is fast to downplay such talk and says that the races last year made him stronger. 'Things like that happen for a reason and it taught me a lot.
'Last year, the last couple of races taught me a lot about my personality and my life. And Im stronger for it,' he is quoted on his website.
He said on Thursday that he expected a tough weekend. 'There is no doubt about that. But I will go into this race like any other,' he said.
Massa, who finished seventh in Fuji to close the gap to five points, said that he is looking forward to the race in China. 'I had quite a good race last year and hope to do even better this time.
'I like the circuit and I think it will suit the car, so of course we will be aiming to get a one-two finish.'
The only other driver in with a shot at the title is BMW-Sauber's Robert Kubica, who has 72 compared to the 79 of Massa and Hamilton's 84.
Kubica, who has yet to finish in the points in China, is determined to keep his chances of snatching an unlikely championship alive.
'I haven't had much luck at this circuit so far. I hope that changes this time and I can pick up some important points for the world championship,' he said.
'Shanghai is an interesting circuit with a very long straight and a good overtaking opportunity. The track offers a mixture of very different corners; there are some slow areas but also several fast sections.
'The first corner is particularly challenging. You stay on the brakes for a long time, and then it quickly switches into a left- hander,' the 23-year-old said.
Defending champion Raikkonen, who is in fourth place in the championship, but has no chance of winning as he is 21 points behind Hamilton, has been told that he should try to help Massa win the championship.
'Shanghai is a very demanding track and I really like it. Our goal is a one-two win. I'll give it all to help Felipe and the team to gain the results we want,' the Finn said.
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