Jordan: Hamilton must be ruthless

Hamilton only needs a top five finish in Brazil to clinch the championship, so must not take unnecessary risks.

But Jordan says he must be ready to fight dirty if necessary.

"People may not like me for saying this, but if Massa tries to take him out as he did in Japan in order to steal the title then Lewis has to be ready for it," Jordan told the Daily Express newspaper.

"If he tries that on then Lewis has to turn his wheel into Massa to ensure he does not finish the race either - he has to take his wheel off."

Jordan believes that Hamilton will have no trouble clinching the title if he can maintain the serene form he showed when dominating Shanghai last week, but warned that he can't afford another erratic performance like the one he delivered in Japan.

"What happens next in the championship depends on whether Lewis has learnt from his last two races," he said.

"He was brilliant in China when he drove flawlessly to victory but awful, just awful in Japan. If the Hamilton of China turns up in Brazil, he will be world champion.

"I don't think he needs to go for broke but that is what he is inclined to do.

"He needs to be careful. He knows that right now the world is against him - the other drivers are against him and the stewards are against him. Yet I think what happened to him after his win at Spa was ghastly and his penalty in the Japanese Grand Prix was harsh too. That's what he has to contend with."

Hamilton also needs better support from his McLaren teammate Heikki Kovalainen, according to Jordan.

"I do believe Ron Dennis and his McLaren team need to get more out of Heikki Kovalainen because his input to the cause has been minimal," Jordan said.

"They have to aim to get Kovalainen on the first two rows of the grid in Brazil. That would dramatically improve McLaren's chances.

"Kovalainen always seems fuelled-up with a very heavy car and that makes him slow at the start, makes the car more difficult to control and is harder on the tyres. They should look to have him qualify fast and lighter from the start of the race. If he could get into the Ferraris it would really help Lewis."