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Lewis Hamilton could make history by becoming the first ever rookie F1 champion on Sunday.

He scored a crucial win at a rain-lashed Fuji Speedway yesterday.

But Hamilton has more work to do to become champion. Both Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen can still win the title.

Alonso was catching Hamilton when the Spaniard crashed spectacularly on lap 42. And Raikkonen finished third after falling to the back of the field when Ferrari sent him out on the wrong tyres.

How Hamilton can become champion

If Hamilton wins the Chinese Grand Prix he’ll be guaranteed the title. But he could still win the championship on Sunday even if he finishes lower:

If Hamilton finishes first: Wins title regardless of where the others finish.

Second: Hamilton wins title if Alonso doesn’t win
Third or fourth: Hamilton wins title if Alonso doesn’t finish second or higher
Fifth: Hamilton wins title if Alonso doesn’t finish third or higher

Sixth: Hamilton wins title if Alonso doesn’t finish fourth or higher and Raikkonen doesn’t win
Seventh: Hamilton wins title if Alonso doesn’t finish fifth or higher and Raikkonen doesn’t win
Eighth: Hamilton wins title if Alonso doesn’t finish sixth or higher and Raikkonen doesn’t finish second or higher

Ninth or lower: Hamilton wins title if Alonso doesn’t finish seventh or higher and Raikkonen doesn’t finish second or higher

Championship standings

Only three drivers are now able to win the title:

Lewis Hamilton 107
Fernando Alonso 95
Kimi Raikkonen 90

There are two rounds remaining and the top eight finishers score points as follows: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.

Can Lewis Hamilton win the championship? Send us an e-mail or leave a comment on our blog.

Read more about Lewis Hamilton's victory in Japan and the other motor racing action around the world last weekend on the official Auto Trader blog.

Trackside video

Here’s how Hamilton polished his wet weather skills:

A young Lewis Hamilton racing in pouring rain in 1998. Hamilton, kart number 44 with the distinctive yellow helmet, hounds one rival into making a mistake, then catches and passes the leader.

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