Lewis won't get carried away by F1 title

Updated 10.32 Mon Oct 01 2007
Keywords: Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Fernando Alonso, Formula One, Lewis Hamilton, sport

Lewis Hamilton is refusing to get carried away by the prospect of becoming Formula One's first rookie world champion.

This is despite the 22-year-old Briton moving to within touching distance of the title with victory in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix after McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso had spun off into the safety barrier on lap 42 of 67 at a drenched Fuji Speedway.

"I think the key for me is just to focus on the next race and just make sure my preparations are right and take it as it comes" - Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton has moved 12 points clear of his closest challenger Alonso with just two races to go in China and Brazil but is determined not to rest on the laurels of picking up 107 points to date this season.

He said after winning his hardest race in Formula One to date: "You do think about it a little bit, but I think the key for me is just to focus on the next race and just make sure my preparations are right and take it as it comes.

"I think after the next race then you really have to start thinking about it but I don't think it's something you should be doing because you can worry.

"I hope I finish the next race and do the best job I can. I hope we have the pace again to have the opportunity to win."

With Ferrari rival Kimi Raikkonen now 17 points off the pace after finishing third in Japan, Hamilton has conceded that he heads into next weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

The British rookie added: "It's a big boost in terms of confidence. It's good for me that I've managed to pull out that sort of gap... But we still have two races left and anything can happen. The key is just to try to keep it on the track."

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