Oct.26 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton will win the 2008 world championship if he finishes fifth or better at the Brazilian grand prix in one week
The 23-year-old McLaren driver’s only title opponent is Felipe Massa, whose task to secure his own maiden championship is more complicated, given his 7 point deficit with just the season finale to run
“Yes it’s true I have a tougher job than Lewis in terms of the points situation but my own objective for the weekend is much more straightforward than his,” the Ferrari driver insists
Massa reckons that, because his main option is to win the race and then await problems from the Hamilton camp, his mind can be more focused at Interlagos
His comments are a rejoinder to Hamilton’s recent claim that because Sao Paulo is the Brazilian’s home city, the bulk of the pressure will fall on Massa’s shoulders
“For sure, Lewis will try and put pressure on me, but I have zero pressure, because I have nothing to lose,” Massa responds
“I have my people behind me and all the pressure will be on him, especially when you think about what happened at this race last year,” he added
Hamilton however told Britain’s News of the World newspaper on Sunday that he is not disappointed he did not win the title on his first attempt in 2007
“I would have thought, ‘I am 22 and I have won the world championship, got poles and set fastest laps. Now what?’nn”I think it was good I didn’t win it last year. If I had done it too early I am sure it would have affected me permanently
“Perhaps I wouldn’t be pushing so much now and in the future,” Hamilton said
Hamilton will be champion in Brazil if:n- he finishes fifth or higher, even if Massa wins the race- he finishes seventh, and Massa does not win the race- he finishes eighth, and Massa finishes third or lower- he fails to score, and Massa does not finish either first or second
Massa will be champion in Brazil if:n- he wins the race, and Hamilton is sixth or lower- he finishes second, and Hamilton is either eighth or out of the points
