FAMILY MATTERS FOR HAMILTON

by Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Shanghai

Lewis Hamilton will call on the support of his family for one last time this season in Brazil, believing they are worth more to him than the 100,000 fans who will be cheering on Felipe Massa.

It was Hamilton's family in dad Anthony, mum Carmen - although she is more affectionately known as Brenda - step-mum Linda and brother Nic, who saw him through last week's dark period when the flak was flying.

Other than his father, who also serves as his manager, the others were not meant to be in China, but after what unfolded in Japan, Hamilton asked them to be by his side.

They naturally came to his aid, and their support undeniably served its purpose as Hamilton produced arguably the most complete weekend of his career, culminating in yesterday's pole-to-flag victory.

You only had to take in the scenes when he stepped out of his car to appreciate how much they mean to him as he received kisses and hugs from Carmen and Linda, and a big bear hug from Nic.

There was also a beaming smile from Anthony, no doubt filled with pride as Lewis stood on the podium, and who later gave his son a hug of his own in the McLaren hospitality area.

They will now all be in Sao Paolo, home of Felipe Massa who is now Hamilton's only rival for the title as we head into the final race of the season.

It is 17 years since Brazil last had a world champion in the late, great Ayrton Senna, so Hamilton is acutely aware of how fervently its people will want Massa to win.

But despite the support Massa will receive in the amphitheatre that is Interlagos, he maintains that is nothing compared to his family.

"The family will play a huge part, as they do all the time," said Hamilton, who holds a seven-point lead over Massa.

"Just having them with me in China, it was great to have all their support.

"They weren't going to come, they were going to go to Brazil, but I asked them to because I needed their support with everything that was going on.

"They support me so much, and without them I would not have done so well.

"In Brazil, I'm fully expecting the crowd to be a kind of 12th man for Felipe, which is fine.

"But I know how much support I have back home, and I'll again have that from my family.

"When I'm at a race track their support goes beyond any crowd.

"Just having my dad, my mum, my brother, Linda, all there for me, their support is far greater than 100,000 people in a stadium, so whatever happens, it's not a worry."

The family will also ensure Hamilton does not get ahead of himself given the seemingly comfortable cushion he has over Massa.

If Hamilton finishes in the top five then he will be crowned world champion, regardless of what Massa does.

The Ferrari star can only take the title if he wins and Hamilton is sixth or lower, or if he is second and the 23-year-old is eighth or lower, taking it on countback as they would be tied on points.

The fat lady is ready to perform, but neither she nor anyone else can take anything for granted after what happened last year when Hamilton lost out to Kimi Raikkonen after holding a seven-point lead over the Finn.

At least Hamilton heads to Brazil in the right frame of mind, in contrast to a year ago following his troubles in China.

"It was as important as any victory I've had," assessed Hamilton on the ninth win of his career.

"To come from Fuji, where we didn't have a good ending, to China and revive our status in the championship has been very positive for us.

"This past weekend was one of my best performances in a year when I have had good and bad ones, but for sure it goes up there with some of the greats.

"Standing on top of the podium in China, after what happened last year, felt amazing. I felt complete and at home.

"But it gives us no reason to get ahead of ourselves. We just need to keep our feet on the ground."