Lewis Hamilton turns attention to 2012

Lewis Hamilton says he has already set out to turn his concentration towards next year's Formula One campaign.

The McLaren driver ended fourth in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix after starting second on the grid behind eventual winner Sebastian Vettel, and as a result finds himself 126 points adrift of the defending world champion with six races left to run.

With only 150 points available, it was a downbeat Hamilton that measured the glaring realization this year's championship is, to all intents and purposes, over.

Asked for his aim for the rest of the season, Hamilton said: "To finish the rest of the races, and also work hard on trying to make a point next year's car is quick.

"We're still approaching for this year, but it would be sensible to focus on making sure next year's car is faster than this year's car."

Hamilton seemed to take satisfaction only from the fact he had taken the chequered flag at Monza and said he hoped to do the same at each of the remaining races.

That is an insight into his approach given the fierce criticism that followed his crash in Belgium a fortnight ago.

After a 24-lap duel with Michael Schumacher throughout which Hamilton complained to his team about the German's excessive weaving to defend his place, he finally got past.

"I'm glad I finished the race," added Hamilton.

"I showed people I can drive cleanly and not get into problem even if the guy in front makes it very hard for me.

"I got by finally and made it stick, so it was good."

Asked about Hamilton's desire to only finish races and whether he had been mentally affected by the criticism that followed his Spa shunt, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "I don't think so.

"He is a tough cookie who only wants to win. He will very shortly bang in that win and look fantastic.

"It's a shame it wasn't at this time, so we'll see if he can do it in two weeks' time.

"Here there was a fair amount of aggravation and defeat in the race. I think someone (Schumacher) drove him off the circuit pretty sharply at one point.

"At the first corner he could have stuck in for second and lost a wing. He was less agitated than I was at that stage, so congratulations to him on that.

"He is growing and rising, and I'm sure he's going to win more races this year and put some of the other issues further behind him."

For Hamilton, there also remains the honor of finish ahead of team-mate Jenson Button, who now stands nine points ahead of him in the drivers championship.

Since making his F1 debut in 2007, the 26-year-old has up till now to be beaten by any of his team-mates Fernando Alonso, Heikki Kovalainen or Button.

"Where I end in the championship does matter to me, but it is the way it is. There's not much I can do about it at the moment," said Hamilton.

After at first stating second in the championship was now another target, Hamilton then quickly changed his mind.