Oct 27, 2008, 16:39 GMT
Hamburg - Lewis Hamilton heads into this weekend's final Formula One Grand Prix of the season at Interlagos in Brazil knowing a fifth-place finish will see him crowned the youngest ever F1 world champion.
Local favourite Felipe Massa of Ferrari is the main obstacle between Hamilton and the title, which could be the McLaren driver's regardless of what he does himself if Massa finishes third or lower.
Robert Kubica of BMW-Sauber is the only other driver in with a chance of the title but the Pole is nine points behind the McLaren man so needs to win the Brazil GP and hope both Hamilton and Massa finish out of the points.
Hamilton's imperious victory at the Shanghai GP on October 19 saw the 23-year-old open up a seven-point lead on his nearest rival Massa with just one race remaining and the Briton says he is relishing the prospect of making up for the disappointment of blowing his title chances here last year.
(Last year) I went to Interlagos with the title battle still up in the air and all my emotions just bubbling up and down. It was a very emotional time because I knew it would end with either great success or huge disappointment,' he said.
In 2007, Hamilton, in his rookie season, led the way going into Brazil with 107 points from then McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso (103) and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen (100).
However, a disappointing seventh-place finish coupled with a victory for Raikkonen saw the Finn pip the McLaren driver to the title.
'In 2007, things didnt end up too well for me - but I still had a great first year,' said Hamilton, who preferred to focus on the upcoming race than dwell on the past.
I dont need to win the race, but that wont stop me from going into the weekend looking to be as strong as possible. Shanghai was a good example of that: we hit the ground running on Friday morning and never looked back,' he said.
'Our aim wasnt to push too hard, but we found ourselves in a position at the front and took it comfortably from there. Thats what I am hoping to achieve in Brazil - a straightforward weekend that allows me to just focus on my car and my driving.'
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