Priaulx: Hamilton to face new pressures

Priaulx, speaking at the launch of the 2008 Race of Champions at Wembley, said that the McLaren driver will have to raise his game again if he wants to repeat his title victory next season.

"I think the hardest thing is that when you have been perceived to be the best driver, everybody is aiming at you," said Priaulx, who is set to lose his mantle as the sport's only active world touring car champion. "You have got a lot more to lose than everybody else.

"I think to deal with that pressure, and to try and maintain, even improve your level, when you are the benchmark is very difficult."

Priaulx added that it won't take long for Hamilton to move on from celebrating his achievement and focus on next season.

"For me the biggest feeling was that when I won the title I thought the world would change, but on Monday morning it was still the same," he said. "And you have to get in the car and do the job.

"You are only as good as your last race, and it's almost like you forget about what you have done in the past and look ahead and try do it again.

"It takes an awful lot of determination and will power to deal with that thought process.

"I admire people like Michael Schumacher and Valentino Rossi, who always manage to raise their game and still remain completely determined week in, week out. That's the hardest thing."