How Hamilton can win title
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?'
"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.
10/25/08 Lewis Hamilton may not be about to sit back and gift Massa the win at his home race in Brazil, but if he did, the British ace could still become world champion.
Here are the permutations that would see the McLaren ace crowned the youngest ever world champion, and the first British driver to claim the top honors since Damon Hill in 1996.
Lewis will be world champion if:
He wins
He finishes second
He finishes third
He finishes fourth
He finishes fifth
He finishes sixth and Felipe is second or lower
He finishes seventh and Felipe is second or lower
He finishes eighth and Felipe is third or lower
He fails to score and Felipe is third or lower
Felipe will be world champion if:
He wins and Lewis finishes sixth or lower
He finishes second and Lewis is eighth or lower
If the pair are tied on points on Sunday afternoon, Felipe would win the title by virtue of more victories (six to Lewis’s five) or second-place finishes (three to Lewis’s two). Source: McLaren