FERRARI CONFIRM ROSSI TEST

Rossi - eight MotoGP titles.

Ferrari have confirmed Valentino Rossi will be in action for the Scuderia at Mugello next week.

Having won his eighth MotoGP title last month, Rossi expressed his wishes to once again test a Ferrari F1 car and the team were quick to put his plans into action.

As a result the Italian will be back behind the wheel of a Ferrari at Mugello next Thursday and Friday.

"There's no secret about Valentino Rossi testing the Ferrari F2008 on November 20 and 21," team boss Stefano Domenicali told Autosport. "Everyone can attend. The Mugello celebrations must go on."

SURTEES: HAMILTON WILL INSPIRE KIDS

Hamilton - will inpsire a new generation.

Former Formula One world champion John Surtees hopes Lewis Hamilton's title success will inspire a new generation of British drivers to take up the sport.

Hamilton overtook Timo Glock on the final corner of the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday to finish fifth and claim the championship by just one point.

At 23 years old, Hamilton is now the youngest man to lift the drivers' title in Formula One history.

Surtees became Formula One champion in 1964 and remains the only man in history to be world champion on two wheels and four after winning the 500cc world motorbike championship six years earlier.

Hamilton's win can now be the inspiration for young British drivers, according to Surtees.

"I hope it is a catalyst for getting more young people involved in British motorsport and giving them a chance to go out there and represent their country," he said.

"I hope it will do good things for British motorsport and inspire the kids who are all wanting to get onto the track involved with the sport.

"A lot of kids are starting out racing when they are eight or even six years old. They need a role model and Lewis can now provide that."

After narrowly missing out on the championship in his debut year in the sport, the 23-year-old now stands to become a global icon after his triumph.

Hamilton's win will be worth tens of millions of pounds to international brands and he stands to earn millions off the track on top of his lucrative racing contract with McLaren.

Surtees has warned Hamilton against being caught up in all the hysteria but insists he and his family are strong enough to keep Hamilton's feet firmly on the ground.

"He will now have to embrace all the wealth, luxury and all the hangers-on that come with it," said Surtees.

"But he is already a role model to many and I think generally he handles himself well off the circuit as well as on it.

"There was a lot of criticism flying about about him this year. I'd put that down to jealousy of his driving, his personality and his wealth.

"A lot of the responsibility for keeping his feet on the ground will be with his family. His father (Anthony) is an intelligent man and will guide him in the right direction.

"He will be key to keeping him in check. He wouldn't be so prominently involved with the team if he didn't have something between the ears. He is not a stupid individual and will know how to deal with these situations."

LEWIS 'STEPS TOWARDS DREAM'

Hamilton takes the plaudits on the podium.

Lewis Hamilton described his victory at the Chinese Grand Prix as "another step towards my dream" as he heads into the final race of the season in Brazil with the World Championship in his sights.

The 23-year-old led from pole to flag in Shanghai with closest rival Felipe Massa in second and Kimi Raikonnen in third.

It means the Briton holds a seven-point lead over Massa heading into the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos in two weeks' time.

Hamilton told the post-race press conference: "This is another step to the championship and towards my dream and towards my team's dream.

"The team deserve it. We've worked really hard."

The control Hamilton showed in Shanghai was in stark contrast to his travails in Fuji last week when he trailed in 12th after a mistake at the first corner.

"Our approach to this race was right," continued Hamilton. "It wasn't to go out and win everything in this race - it was to look at both races and score as many points collectively.

"Going to Brazil, it will be a much different situation to last year.

"We will be a lot more competitive than we are here.

"So that's comforting. We know we've got to do a good job

"It will be tough, these two (Massa and Raikonnen) will be pushing us hard."

He continued: "It was quite straightforward, we got everything right. "It was a great start, probably one of the best we've had this year which was needed.

"I took it easy for the first few corners and then started to build the gap.

"We were just very consistent, every lap was a bit faster and there were very few errors through the race. From there it was pretty smooth sailing.

"After the second pit stop we were pretty much cruising, looking after the tyres and the engine.

"I knew there was an even bigger gap behind me.

"I just had to keep it under control, it wasn't tough at all.

"When you are at the front and you've got a gap and you can push a bit more.

"It is quite comforting, about keeping your head and keeping calm."

Hamilton paid tribute to the McLaren team, saying: "All weekend we've had God on our side as always and the team have done a phenomenal job really.

"We came here and the car felt fantastic all weekend - I owe so much to the guys, not just at the track but at home.

"The car is really a dream to drive.

"It was a fantastic team effort so a big thanks to them."

Massa appeared downcast and acknowledged Ferrari's best efforts were not enough.

"I didn't have a good start. We just stayed in the same positions.

"Lewis was a bit stronger in the beginning - he just started pulling away and this make his race more comfortable.

"For us we were driving on the limit trying to reduce the gap but it was not possible.

"Lewis had a better car for the whole weekend.

"I think for the championship it was not fantastic but for the constructors it was very good."

Massa passed Raikonnen towards the end of the race enabling him to reduce the gap between himself and Hamilton heading into Brazil.

Raikonnen explained: "We know what we want as a team and that is what we did, it is normal in these situations.

"Unfortunately we were second and third but hopefully (in the) next race we can challenge him a bit more.

"We gave the best but it didn't work out."