Motor Sport: Lewis Hamilton believes he has the psychological edge as he faces another title showdown in Brazil. It is all in stark contrast to a year ago as Hamilton left Shanghai a distraught figure after throwing away his first chance to become Formula One's first rookie world champion.
The 23-year-old was on course for the points needed to guarantee him the crown, only to beach his McLaren in the pit lane gravel trap as worn tyres and a damp track saw him slide into misery.
Twelve months on and Hamilton departs China in a buoyant mood, not over-confident, but with a spring in his step after completing the perfect weekend with a stunning pole-to-flag victory.
Add in the fastest race lap, and it gave Hamilton what is known in Formula One as 'the grand chelem' or hat-trick for the second time in his career. But there is still a job to do because despite taking the chequered flag for the fifth time this season and ninth time in his 34 races, he could still lose out again.
In a remarkable twist, this year as last year, Hamilton has a seven-point cushion to his Ferrari rival, with Felipe Massa his closest challenger on this occasion compared to Kimi Raikkonen.
Hamilton ultimately missed out by a point to Raikkonen, yet he does not believe lightning can strike in the same place twice. Instead, he believes in himself, armed now with the mentality of being a race winner again, ending a six-race drought, the longest of his F1 career.
"I would say there's a psychological difference in going to Brazil this year compared to last year," assessed Hamilton. "The last race of last year was tough. We went there on the back foot, knowing Ferrari would be very competitive.
"This year, after having a good race, we will now be able to settle down, back to where we were at the beginning of this week. We will work very hard to arrive in Brazil even more competitive, and I'm sure we will which is comforting, so I'm feeling good about it."
Ferrari were second best throughout the weekend, and it came as no surprise when the second best driver in outgoing champion Kimi Raikkonen allowed Massa by on lap 49 to take the runner-up spot, with the Finn third.
It keeps Massa in touch, although all Hamilton now requires is to finish fifth or better on Massa's home turf in Interlagos and he will realise his dream.
"This is another step towards the championship, towards my dream and towards my team's dream," remarked Hamilton. "The team deserve it because we have worked very hard throughout the season, with our approach to this race so right.
"It was not to go out and win everything just in this race. It was to look at both races to try and score as many points collectively. The title is on my mind, for sure, but the fact we have done a good job here is all that mattered because that is what we needed to do."