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What does Lewis Hamilton have to do to in Brazil to ensure he becomes Formula One's youngest champion?

The 23-year-old McLaren driver only has one rival contender for the championship - Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Hamilton's win in Shanghai saw him extend his points lead to seven, with the Briton on 94 and Massa on 87.

But the title race is far from over, as last year's events show.

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2007?

Hamilton took a seven-point lead over Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen into the final race but ended up losing the title by a single point after he finished seventh and the Finn won the race.

But the Briton also had team-mate and bitter rival Fernando Alonso to contend with. The Spaniard went into the final round on 103 points to Hamilton's 107 and Raikkonen's 100, but fell just short as he finished third.

Raikkonen closed the closest season ever on 110, with Hamilton and Alonso on 109, the Briton taking the scant consolation of second place on countback.

WHAT DOES HAMILTON HAVE TO DO?

Hamilton knows that his destiny is in his hands. He has a seven point lead, and knows that if he finishes fifth or better, he will be champion, having secured enough points to make Massa's result irrelevant.

However, both Ferraris will be using new engines at Interlagos, and Kimi Raikkonen will once again be going all-out to help his team-mate so the Briton's task may not be simple.

If Hamilton finishes sixth or worse, the destiny of the title comes down to Massa.

WHAT DOES MASSA HAVE TO DO?

As he trails by seven points Massa must finish first or second to have any chance at all of winning.

If the Brazilian picks up a maximum 10-point haul, he will put the pressure on Hamilton, who will lose the title if he fails to finish fifth or better.

If Massa finishes second, he still has a chance - but only if Hamilton finishes in eighth or worse.

WHAT ABOUT COUNTBACK?

Countback is the FIA's method for separating drivers or teams who finish level on points.

The regulation states:

"If two or more constructors or drivers finish the season with the same number of points, the higher place in the Championship (in either case) shall be awarded to :

a) the holder of the greatest number of first places,

b) if the number of first places is the same, the holder of the greatest number of second places,

c) if the number of second places is the same, the holder of the greatest number of third places and so on until a winner emerges."

Only two possible scenarios see the drivers finish level on points, and both favour Massa:

If Massa wins and Hamilton is sixth, the drivers would be equal on 97 points. But the title would go to Massa as he would have six wins to Hamilton's five.

If Massa is second and Hamilton is eighth, the drivers would be equal on 96 points. But the title would go to Massa, with three second places to Hamilton's two (both men with five wins).

Alex Chick / Eurosport