Hamilton bullish despite shortened lead
Hamilton faces a nail-biting climax to his debut season
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Monday, 17, Sep 2007 10:07
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has reaffirmed his belief that he can recover his form in time to claim the formula one drivers' title ahead of team-mate Fernando Alonso.
The British rookie has seen his lead in the individual standings gradually eroded away from a seven-point margin after the Hungarian grand prix to a current advantage of just two points over the Spaniard going into the final three races of the season.
"I'm still leading the world championship. I still feel positive," the 22-year-old said.
"It's come down a bit closer but we've still got three tracks that are a bit fresh and new to me. On some tracks he'll be faster than me and on some I'll be faster than him, so, fingers crossed, the last three are better for me. I just need to pull my socks up, I guess."
Relations between Hamilton and Alonso hit a new low over the weekend when the reigning champion was accused by his colleague of deliberately driving wide to force him from the track at the first corner.
Hamilton admitted that those sort of streetwise tactics may be an area in which he has ground to make up on Alonso.
"I don't know whether it has caught me out but, for sure, experience is always an advantage," he said.
Japan, China and Brazil will host the closing stages of the season.