Hamilton craves a return to normal life

Lewis Hamilton is the hottest property in Formula One and in constant demand but insists he has not changed, though sometimes he craves a return to normal life.

The 23-year-old Briton, on the cusp of becoming the youngest Formula One world champion ever, believes he has not been affected by fame and fortune.

"I feel I have that area of my life under control," he said on his website ahead of this weekend's China Grand Prix. "I don't see myself as a celebrity, I feel I'm the same guy I was before I got to F1 -- just more measured, maybe. Of course, you do get people watching you all the time so you have to be careful about what you say or what you do. It's not easy to live like I used to but I can still do it sometimes; you just do it with people you trust and just be smart about it."

Asked if he would like to return to the life he led before being thrust into the big-time during his rookie season last year, he replied: "Oh yeah! "There have been many times when I wished I could go back and be on the same journey but go and experience it all again -- from karting, through learning in Formula Renault, right up to my first practice sessions in Formula 1. I wish I could do it all again."