KEY POINTS:
He's battling racist messages, vengeful rivals and the possibility of drivers' dirty tricks - so if Lewis Hamilton wins the Formula One world title in Brazil tonight, it will be one of the most challenging wins by, possibly, one of the most unpopular champions in recent times.
Although he is much loved in Britain, Hamilton is unpopular with fellow F1 drivers who see him as a grandstander; a star with diva qualities as yet unmatched by achievement; a driver who endangers others at times; and a member of the unpopular McLaren team fined US$100m for what was effectively industrial espionage.
Even so, he probably should not have to deal with the messages targeting him on a voodoo style website, taunting him about the colour of his skin in a campaign that reprised the abuse he received at the start of the year.
More than 16,000 racist messages using terms like "nigger" and "half-breed" have been posted on a Spanish website - Spain is also the home of former F1 champion and former McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso. Spanish fans of Alonso, are believed to be behind matters.
Another dubbed Hamilton a conguito - a type of chocolate sweet with racist overtones - and wrote: "Conguito, you are going to die."
The only other time Hamilton was in Brazil was last year - with the world title his to claim when an erratic opening lap and a gearbox problem contributed to his failure.
Fifth place tonight will secure the title that escaped him by a point in 2007. He would also be the championship's youngest title winner in its 59-season history.
He is up against Ferrari's local hero Felipe Massa, whose face adorns almost every billboard above the long hill between city and racetrack.
Hamilton said: "I don't have to win, so the pressure is off my shoulders. It's not a case of do or die - I can afford to finish behind the Ferraris." Massa needs to win and hope Hamilton falters. Second place would suffice only if Hamilton finished eighth or lower.
His unpopularity with other drivers is almost beyond doubt. Three drivers were asked at a press conference if it was true they and Hamilton's other rivals were envious because Hamilton is leading the championship and seems to be the biggest star.
It was an opportunity to say they had nothing against Hamilton, but after a long silence each passed up the opportunity.
Hamilton must feel isolated. No one expects rival drivers to be friends but they do not like him. He has got to win and in the teeth of their contempt, much as Michael Schumacher did.
So what about the threat of dirty tricks? Hamilton said: "I believe every driver that's here is a great sportsman and we're all very competitive, so I just have to trust and believe in everybody and hope we can have a fair, straight race.
- AGENCIES
