Hamilton relieved to prove himself again

The reigning world champion only made it through to Q3 twice and finished in the points three times in the first eight races of this season as McLaren struggled to make its 2009 car competitive.

But he has had three pole positions and two victories in the last five races and has been boosted by the upturn in form.

Following the poles at Valencia, Monza and Singapore, and victories in Hungary and Singapore, the Briton is happy to have turned around many peoples' perceptions of his season.

"The great thing I feel is that I could have easily had a year when I was at the back the whole time, and for me I would not have felt great at all," he said.

"I was world champion last year and I was very close to being world champion the previous year, so I know I am good enough to be at the front all the time.

"Then to go straight to the back, people, how they perceive it... I would have felt how good I was would have been misjudged perhaps, so I am glad that I am back at the front now. I am showing that the #1 was earned. It was on my car for a reason. It is a positive feeling to be able to do that."

Hamilton's recent run of good results has lifted him to sixth place in the standings, three points behind Kimi Raikkonen and 14.5 behind Red Bull's Mark Webber.