Lewis loving intense battle

Hamilton: intense competition

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Lewis Hamilton is relishing being in the thick of the action as Formula One's five-way title battle enters its closing stages.

Ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza - and with five races to follow - the McLaren star holds a three-point lead in the drivers' championship over Mark Webber.

The latter's Red Bull team-mate, Sebastian Vettel, stands 31 points adrift of Hamilton, with his own team-mate Jenson Button and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso rounding out the roll call of contenders.

"I've not been in this position before where so many drivers have been in the hunt," Hamilton said.

"It's a world championship, the most intense competition I've ever experienced, and I love it.

"I'm racing against Mark, who has great experience, and two world champions, so I expect nothing but the best from them. Therefore I have to be at my best."

Mistakes

Hamilton's only title success so far came in dramatic circumstances in 2008 and followed an ultimately unsuccessful bid in what was his rookie year.

Last year's challenge failed to get off the ground owing to a poor performing car, but Hamilton says he has learnt much in what is still only his fourth F1 season.

"In terms of my own experience I've suffered the lowest of the low and enjoyed the highest of the high," he said.

"I've been to both ends of the spectrum and learned from different situations.

"In 2007 I made a lot more mistakes, and although I've grown a lot, I've still many more to make.

"But I believe that to this point I'm a much more whole and solid driver than in 2007 and 2008."

All equal

Although Hamilton and Webber pulled out a gap over the rest thanks to their one-two finish last time out in Belgium, the Englishman insists he will not adopt a more conservative approach from here on in.

"You would be wrong to assume that because there are so many points available," said Hamilton.

"It would be easy to adopt that frame of mind, go into a race and the next thing you know I'm in that position.

"So I don't feel any different compared to the last race. For me the gap is nothing, we're all equal.

"That's my approach, that I still need to get as many points as I can."