Last year Lewis Hamilton went to Brazil with the same seven-point advantage but managed to lose what would have been an unprecedented rookie world title to Kimi Raikkonen. One year on, the McLaren Mercedes driver believes he is in a more relaxed and confident frame of mind.

“I will be in a much better situation compared to last year and also we know that we will be a lot more competitive than we are here, so that is comforting,” Hamilton said. “We know we have got to do a good job. It will be tough and the Ferrari drivers will be pushing us hard but hopefully, as a team, we can pull through.”

In the build-up to yesterday’s race Hamilton’s driving was criticised by his rivals and there was a bitter attack on him by Flavio Briatore, the Renault team principal, who predicted that the Briton would throw away the title again. Hamilton’s response — taking the chequered flag — was ideal.

Reflecting on what he claimed had been an almost routine day on the track, he said God had been on his side “as always” and praised McLaren, who had produced the perfect car.

“This is another step towards the championship and my dream and my team’s dream,” he said. “The team deserve it. We’ve worked very, very hard throughout the season and our approach to this race was right. It was not to go out and win everything just in this race, it was to look at both races [China and Brazil] and to try and score as many points collectively.”