Steady Eddie remains calm in Japan

The Ulsterman stands to become the most famous racing driver on the planet if he takes the sport's ultimate prize in the Japanese Grand Prix.

But he looked calm and relaxed at his first press appearance at the Suzuka circuit where his future will decided.

'I don't intend to treat it any differently from the way I would treat any other race,' he said in his first press appearance at Suzuka.

'You can't do that. You must do things the same way you normally do them.

'If you try to do too much you cause confusion. I intend to cruise along in my normal mode.

'There is a big game to be played this weekend. Whoever wins, deserves to.

'I am not nervous yet. But there is a lot riding on this, not just for me. It is the same for the mechanics and Ferrari fans all around the world.

'I wasn't at all nervous in Malaysia.

'The pressure is there but luckily there seems to be something just above my head which is holding it all off me.

'I have to do my best and if it happens [winning the title], it happens. If it doesn't then I know there is nothing I could have done about it as long as I have done my best.'