Hamilton vows to seal title despite China slip

LEWIS HAMILTON insisted he will have no problem putting his China heartbreak behind him as a turbulent Formula One season took another dramatic twist yesterday.

Boasting a 12-point lead over closest rival Fernando Alonso going into the race, Hamilton was well on course to become the first person ever to win the drivers’ world championship in his debut season as he led the Chinese Grand Prix and held a healthy advantage over his McLaren team-mate, who was labouring down in fourth place.

But perhaps inevitably in a season that has seen plenty of controversy both on and off the track, disaster struck for the 22-year-old as he pitted for a second time on lap 31 of the 56-lap race.