Hamilton focused on title

Lewis Hamilton heads into this weekend's final Formula One Grand Prix of the season at Interlagos in Brazil knowing that a fifth-place finish is all he needs to 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 19 October 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 at Interlagos 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," said Hamilton. "It was a very emotional time because I knew it would end with either great success or huge disappointment."

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 Räikkönen (100). However, a disappointing seventh-place finish coupled with a victory for Räikkönen saw the Finn pip the McLaren driver to the title by a single point.

"In 2007, things didn't 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 don't need to win the race, but that won't 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. Our aim wasn't to push too hard, but we found ourselves in a position at the front and took it comfortably from there. That's what I am hoping to achieve in Brazil - a straightforward weekend that allows me to just focus on my car and my driving."