Victorious Hamilton extends lead

Source: Agencies  |   2008-10-20  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

LEWIS Hamilton's win in the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday proved to be an anti-climax, leaving the McLaren driver still just short of clinching the 2008 Formula One title.

Hamilton led from start to finish in a tepid race of almost no incident at the Shanghai International Circuit in suburban Jiading District, finishing 14.9 seconds ahead of his title rival Felipe Massa, who took second thanks to his obliging Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen letting him through late in the race.

There were no mistakes from Hamilton yesterday, and no repeat of the Shanghai nightmare of last season when the rookie skidded off into the gravel at the pit lane entry in a race that could also have handed him the title.

The result extended Hamilton's lead in the drivers' championship to seven points with only the Brazilian Grand Prix remaining in a fortnight.

"It might be another step towards my dream but we've still got to keep calm and keep our heads," Hamilton said. "I just hope we can pull through."

The Briton led Raikkonen by precisely the same margin heading into the Brazilian GP last season, only for a botched overtaking maneuver and gearbox trouble relegating him to seventh place, handing the title to the Finn.

The points coincidence aside, Hamilton is in prime position to become F1's youngest-ever champion. The only way Massa can beat him to the title is if the Brazilian wins his home race and the McLaren driver finishes no higher than seventh, or Massa finishes second and Hamilton out of the points.

"We are in a tough position, but we know anything can happen," Massa said. "We need to keep our heads up, it's not finished yet. We can have a much better car in Brazil than we had here."

Ferrari can take some succor from moving 11 points above McLaren in the constructors' championship, thanks to the retirement of McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen.

BMW's Robert Kubica finished sixth, ending his slim title chances.