Hamilton downplays 'boring' remarks

The championship fight is looking increasingly likely to become a two-way fight between the McLaren driver and the Brazilian - with little to choose between them.

Asked in Belgium if he sensed the championship boiling down to a straight head-to-head contest with Massa, Hamilton said: "For sure we are both very close. He's obviously on top of his game, extracting the most out of his car and they are a strong team together.

"But Felipe seems to be the one who's leading the team at the moment. He's a great guy. He's very, very talented and he's doing a great job. It's going to be close I'm sure - I can only assume it will go down to the wire."

Hamilton's prediction about the championship fight perhaps going all the way to Brazil goes against suggestions that he thought F1 was boring.

Commenting on the stories about his remarks, he said: "I don't remember saying it was boring. I was indicating that perhaps for the spectators it's boring because there's no overtaking. For me, I don't particularly feel it's boring in the car because you're always trying to improve, you're always challenging and it's never easy.

"So whether or not you're first or second, you're always chasing something. I never find it boring. What I was meaning is sometimes it's boring because we don't do any overtaking for the spectators.

"I remember watching Formula One before I got here and sometimes it's boring to watch - you just fall asleep! Hopefully next year will be more exciting."