Family matters for Hamilton

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It was Hamilton's family in dad Anthony, mum Carmen - although she is more affectionately known as Brenda - step-mum Linda and brother Nic, who saw him through last week's dark period when the flak was flying.

"The family will play a huge part, as they do all the time," said Hamilton, who holds a seven-point lead over Massa. "Just having them with me in China, it was great to have all their support. When I'm at a race track their support goes beyond any crowd."

He added: "They weren't going to come, they were going to go to Brazil, but I asked them to because I needed their support with everything that was going on.

"They support me so much, and without them I would not have done so well.

"In Brazil, I'm fully expecting the crowd to be a kind of 12th man for Felipe, which is fine. But I know how much support I have back home, and I'll again have that from my family.

"Just having my dad, my mum, my brother, Linda, all there for me, their support is far greater than 100,000 people in a stadium, so whatever happens, it's not a worry."

The family will also ensure Hamilton does not get ahead of himself given the seemingly comfortable cushion he has over Massa.

If Hamilton finishes in the top five then he will be crowned world champion, regardless of what Massa does.

The Ferrari star can only take the title if he wins and Hamilton is sixth or lower, or if he is second and the 23-year-old is eighth or lower, taking it on countback as they would be tied on points.