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."
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