Hamilton says 'no excuses' this year

Following his near miss last season, when he came close to becoming Formula One's first rookie champion, Hamilton thinks he has everything he needs to get the job done in 2008.

"In terms of my (overall) package, there's no excuses," he said in an interview with The Associated Press news agency.

"Last year the only excuse was that I was a rookie and that it was all new. But this year, I'll continue to learn, so sure, there will always be mistakes but I don't feel there is any room for error."

Despite his eyes on the title, Hamilton says he is happy to enjoy equal status with new teammate Heikki Kovalainen.

"I just like fairness and I want Heikki Kovalainen to have the exact same opportunities and if he does and I beat him, there's the reward. I beat him on same tyres, same engine and knowing all that, you just know you're a better driver. I don't want any advantage, any head start."

Then referring to his time alongside Fernando Alonso last year he said: "I think I established myself as equal last year. He was (the leader) at the beginning, wasn't he, but it changed.

"Well, he thought he was at the beginning. But I don't think that should be the case, we should be a team. It should be equal.

"He (Alonso) showed me just how not to behave as an F1 driver."