I will win the title in Brazil, says cool Hamilton

The 22-year-old had desperately hoped to return from Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix as Britain's first world champion this century, but instead carried home only bad memories from Shanghai.

He slid into the gravel midway through the race after suffering tyre problems. It means his lead over McLaren garage-mate Fernando Alonso stands at just four points before the title-decider in Brazil in 12 days' time.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is also in contention seven points off the top.

But, as well as the mathematical blow, the timing of Hamilton first serious Formula One race error presents him with a mental challenge. How will he respond after getting so close to the prize he most covets, only to blow it?

The fear is that his chance could fizzle away, but Hamilton believes his mind is suited to the task.

Alluding to Raikkonen, Ferrari's ultra laid-back Finn, he said: 'They say Kimi's ice-cool. He's like flat-lined and I think my subconscious is pretty much like that. I'm pretty relaxed.

'I've been in these situations before many times, needing to close out championships, and I know how to deal with the situation.

'It's my first year in Formula One, but there is no reason why it should be different for me. My approach will be the same.'

Hamilton immediately accepted responsibility for Sunday's prang, though it seems certain McLaren were partially culpable. They kept him out longer than they should have done on clearly degraded tyres.

Tyre manufacturers Bridgestone were advising the team to bring him in two or three laps earlier, but their cautionary words were ignored.

As a result, Hamilton's car was perilously hard to control by the point he made his race-ending entry to the pits to change tyres.

McLaren chose to overrule Bridgestone because Hamilton, their best hope of winning the title, was still ahead of his chief rival Alonso regardless of his troubles, with rain forecast. They were reluctant to move from intermediate to dry tyres before the expected downfall came.

The finely balanced decision backfired, with the Briton going off and his team-mate finishing second to Raikkonen, but Hamilton wants to consign the setback to history, turning his focus to the next stage of his remarkable debut season.

He said: 'If you start to reflect on negatives in this business, it can affect the way you think. When I think about getting into that car, there is nothing that gives me a better feeling. I try to enjoy my life, which I am. I enjoy the travelling. I'm not complaining. Brazil is yet to come, so don't worry — I can still do it.'

As well as Alonso and Raikkonen impacting on Hamilton's chances at Interlagos, Felipe Massa could play a pivotal role, despite being out of the reckoning himself.

Massa, winner of his home race last year, knows a Ferrari one-two gives team-mate Raikkonen the best chance of wresting the title which has so far eluded him.

In that case, Hamilton would only need to finish fifth to ensure his place in the pantheon as the first rookie world champion.

The worst scenario for Hamilton would be if the two Ferraris got between him and Alonso as the Spaniard drove to victory. Conversely, the Ferraris could keep Alonso behind Hamilton.

Massa said: 'If Kimi has a chance during the race to win the championship, I think it's very good for the team and I would be very happy to help them.

'If maybe Lewis or Fernando are in the middle and we have no chance, I will try to win the race.'