DEADLY HAMMY DOES IT IN STYLE.

Byline: By ALAN McGUIRE

LEWIS HAMILTON hit back at his critics in the best way possible yesterday by storming into pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Englishman has taken flak about his style of driving with Red Bull's Mark Webber even claiming his moves could lead to a tragedy.

But on the evidence of yesterday's performance the only thing in danger of dying is the F1 title race.

Hamilton came close to perfection by posting the best lap in all three sessions - and saved the best for last to claim pole.

He leads the standings by five points with just two races to go and could even win the title if his rivals slip up today.

Closest challenger Felipe Massa starts from third while Robert Kubica - who is 12 points off the pace - is back in 11th.

Hamilton was thrilled with his qualifying display and insisted the controversy of the last week hadn't affected him.

He said: "I didn't have anything over me going into qualifying or anything on my mind except for just doing a good lap.

"You can see from my result I'm dealing with it quite well.

"I'm helped by the fact I've a huge amount of support especially from my team and family."

Hamilton came under fire at last week's Japanese Grand Prix for taking Kimi Raikkonen off the track while trying to regain his lead after a slow start.

He was penalised for that but the 23-year-old insists the controversy has only made him stronger. He said: "I really have to thank the team after coming off what was not such a great weekend at Fuji.

"We have stayed so strong and done a solid job. Hopefully that will continue in the race.

"Practice has gone well and qualifying was one of my best.

"My first Q3 lap wasn't so great but I pulled it together on the last one and it was close to perfect.

"When you don't get the first lap the second is always a hard one. But, for me, that's exciting.

"The first lap didn't work but the second was hardcore."

Hamilton lost out on last year's title to Raikkonen by just one point and is determined to go one better this time.

Victory tomorrow would be a massive step towards glory but the youngster has won just twice from seven poles this term.

And after the drama of Fuji the tension will be cranked up going into the crucial first corner in Shanghai - with Massa and second-placed Raikkonen breathing down his neck.

Hamilton could have done with some help from Heikki Kovalainen but his McLaren team-mate starts fifth behind Renault's Fernando Alonso.

Spaniard Alonso had a bitter bust-up with Hamilton last year and has vowed to do all he can today to help Massa.

Webber was the Englishman's most vocal critic last week although he has tried to distance himself from claims that Hamilton could kill someone.

And he had a dismal day yesterday - copping a 10-place penalty for changing an engine after his Red Bull blew up.

Team-mate David Coulthard sawhis lap time impeded by Nick Heidfeld who was demoted from seventh to 10th as punishment.

Scot Coulthard starts from 15th with fellow Brit Jenson Button back in 18th place.

CAPTION(S):

Perfect pick-me-up: Lewis Hamilton celebrates after learning he has claimed pole at the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday and it was the ideal way to hit back at critics who have claimed his driving style is too dangerous