Returning to the scene of the race which took him one major step forward in what appeared to be one of the most famous F1 debuts of all time, Lewis Hamilton admits that he has changed over the last twelve months.

A famous victory at the Fuji speedway twelve months ago gave the English rookie a twelve point lead over his teammate Fernando Alonso, and a seventeen point advantage over Kimi Raikkonen.

A year later, Hamilton insists he is stronger in every sense, and that he has learned from the last twelve months, particularly from events in the final two races of 2007.

Looking totally refreshed after the two week break since he scored six vital points in Singapore, thereby extending his lead over Felipe Massa to seven points, the McLaren driver said: "I feel a lot different coming here compared to last year. Last year I stayed in Asia for quite a long period of time. I was away for about five weeks. I was tired from being away. I didn't see my family and I didn't get back in touch with reality. Then you go to a race and you have to perform.

"I went back (home) this time and recharged my batteries," he continued. "I did my training and made sure I spent some quality time with my family. I have come back here feeling fresh again. I feel just as good now as I did five months ago."

Looking ahead to the last three races of the season, Hamilton dismissed talk that he will use caution, opting to take whatever points he can get rather than risking all by battling for wins.

"I'm definitely in a much stronger position than I was last year," he said. "However, we are not going out there to finish second. We're going out there to win the race but the most important thing is to finish in the points.

"I've not thought about the different scenarios," he added. "There's still 30 points to go. I'm just focusing on coming here to win. We just have to keep on pushing."