David Coulthard today claimed it should be a "formality" for Lewis Hamilton to win the world drivers' championship, but hailed rival Felipe Massa as the most improved driver on the circuit.

The Scot competes in his final race as a Formula One driver in Brazil this weekend and said: "With a seven-point lead Lewis is the most likely to achieve the championship, I think that is quite clear. He has led the championship for the majority of the season and it should be a formality.

"But for me, Felipe is the most improved driver of the season. A consolation might be if Felipe wins the Grand Prix, and satisfies the Brazilian crowd, and Lewis comes in with the points-scoring position he needs to take the title."

Coulthard, 37, accepts that his total of 535 points, a record for a British F1 driver, will be exceeded by Hamilton in the future but wants anyway to be remembered for more than a tally of results that includes 13 wins.

He said: "I would like to think I will be viewed as someone who tried their best with the talent they had, who was a team player, and last but most importantly, was a sportsman."