HAMILTON ON THE BRINK OF BECOMING F1 WORD CHAMPION

HAMILTON WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND NICOLE OF "PUSSYCAT DOLLS" (LEFT) Lewis Hamilton is on the brink of becoming Formula One's youngest world champion.
Lewis Hamilton has insisted he is under less pressure than at Interlagos last year
He goes into today's Brazilian Grand Prix with a seven-point lead over his only challenger, Brazil's Felipe Massa - but he is starting the race in fourth position.
Despite numerous permutations, a top five finish would be enough to give Britain its first world champion since Damon Hill 12 years ago.
And 23-year-old Hamilton will be king if he finishes sixth or seventh and Massa does not win.
Even if Hamilton finishes lower than seventh, he will still finish top of the standings if Massa fails to finish in the top two.
His prospects look good. In 17 races this season Hamilton has finished lower than fifth just five times, and he is going to Interlagos in good spirits having totally dominated the last race in Shanghai.
But he has been in this position before. Last year, in his first season in the sport, Hamilton let a 17 point lead slip in the final two races. To win the title his mind needs to be right.
I know I have a really tough battle ahead of me. It's important I remain in control emotionally and mentally.- Lewis Hamilton
The pressure the son of Stevenage is under cannot be underplayed.
This season he has had to overcome dubious decisions, racist abuse and even accusations his driving style was too dangerous.
As a result he is not just racing Massa, he is racing the entire field - he will not be expecting anyone to do him any favours on the circut.
But he has matured from last season, and he will have learned from his mistakes in Japan.
The team know what he has to do and will be urging their man to be more conservative - there is no need to press too hard and risk a potentially devastating mistake.
He has wanted this moment ever since he introduced himself to McLaren team boss Ron Dennis at the Autosport awards, aged 10.
"I'm going to drive for your team one day", he told an amused Dennis.
Some 13 years later and Hamilton is one race away from proving his potential, and maybe he is already imagining the celebrations.
"There's a real party atmosphere in Sao Paulo," he said. "It's a perfect place to end such a great season."
We must hope he is in the mood to enjoy it.