LEW TITLE WARNING

Byron Young 21/07/2007

Lewis Hamilton (Getty Images)

Hamilton cautious ahead of tomorrow's race

CHAMPIONSHIP leader Lewis Hamilton admits he is prepared for the world title to slip through his fingers.

Ahead of tomorrow's European Grand Prix, the 22-year-old revealed he was more than satisfied with what he has already achieved in his sensational rookie season.

Hamilton, who was fastest after yesterday's two 90- minute practice sessions, declared: "I'm just happy with the job I've done so far. Anything from here on is a bonus.

"I'm still going through the season not expecting to win the world championship.

"If I don't then that's racing, and it was to be expected coming into the season.

"I've not come into the season saying 'I really hope this is my time, that I win the world championship'. I didn't build myself up and build my hopes up. If we win - fantastic.

"It's great for the team, great for me and my career, which of course is what we are working towards.

"If not, then we just hope for the best. If we continue as we are we should be in the top three."

The McLaren ace has already chalked up two wins and was surprised to learn his record run of nine podiums in a row in a debut season exceeds anything achieved by his hero Ayrton Senna.

But after a day of fielding questions on the Ferrarigate spy scandal, Hamilton was relieved to reach the relative safety of his car's cockpit yesterday, even here at rainlashed Nurburgring, where the focus is the championship.

And he admits his tactics have now changed from an allout charge for victory to a careful rearguard to protect his 12-point lead over teammate Fernando Alonso.

The British driver revealed: "You drive so close to the edge at the first few races you could easily come off.

"I am not going to take that risk now and lose points for me and the team. It is no longer about trying to win it at the first corner or desperately turning third into second place. If it's possible to win I will take it but otherwise we will take the points."

So he scowled yesterday as Nurburgring's famously unpredictable climate did its worst yesterday as black clouds rolled off the Eiffel Mountains, bringing lashing rain, thunder and lightning which turned the German track into a skid pan.

But world champ Alonso believes his experience can make the difference in the miserable conditions.

The Spaniard said: "There are many races to go but experience will help at the end of the championship.

"Sooner or later there will be difficult weekends, maybe this one. Maybe it rains all weekend. There are many opportunities to lose a race and not so many to win one.

"You can be lucky or unlucky over a few races but over 17 it is the best who will win, so I am confident."

DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP

1 L Hamilton (GB) 70 points

2 F Alonso (Spa) 58

3 K Raikkonen (Fin) 52

4 F Massa (Braz) 51

5 N Heidfeld (Ger) 33

6 R Kubica (Pol) 22

7 G Fisichella (Ita) 17

8 H Kovalainen (Fin) 14

9 A Wurz (Aus) 8

10 J Trulli (Ita) 7

11 N Rosberg (Ger) 5

12 D Coulthard (GB) 4

.. AND CONSTRUCTORS'

1 McLaren 128pts

2 Ferrari 103

3 BMW-Sauber 56

4 Renault 31

5 Williams 13

6 Toyota 9

7 Red Bull 6

8 Super Aguri 4