Hamilton 'not worried' but puncture could be costly

ISTANBUL, Aug 26 (Reuters) McLaren's Lewis Hamilton refused to let a puncture deflate his Formula One title hopes despite seeing his lead cut to five points at the Turkish Grand Prix today.

The blowout, 15 laps from the end of an otherwise uneventful race, robbed the 22-year-old of at least a third place that went instead to his Spanish team mate and closest rival Fernando Alonso.

The rookie, keeping the bucking car on the circuit, struggled and scraped his way back to the pits with a flailing front right tread before returning to limit the damage and take fifth place.

''It's just a little bit of a problem. You always have setbacks,'' said the Briton. ''We won the last race and we've still got five to go, still leading with five points. It's not over. Don't worry.'' While the drama was nothing compared to the far more momentous Adelaide blowout that robbed compatriot Nigel Mansell of the 1986 title -- when Hamilton was only a year old -- it could yet prove costly.

With five races remaining, and the top four drivers now separated by just 16 points, every one gained or dropped is likely to prove crucial.

Yet Hamilton sounded relaxed as he relived the talking point of the afternoon.

''I never had any warning,'' he said. ''I exited the fast left-hander, turn eight, and I saw some bits fly off the tyre.

''As soon as I hit the brakes into turn nine, the tyre exploded.

''That wheel locked up, then the car was moving around, and I was very lucky to stop it and turn because it looked as if I was going to head into the wall,'' added the Briton.

''From then on I had to try and bring it home, but the tyre was flapping around, I had damaged the front wing, and I was worried it had damaged some other bits on the car.

''I just saw my competitors flying past and there was nothing I could do.'' ''I got to turn 12 and the car wouldn't turn; I got to the pit lane and then it went into the wall, and it was a real fight.'' Hamilton said part of the front wing was missing when he returned to the track, preventing him from taking the fight to the BMW Sauber of Nick Heidfeld ahead of him in fourth place.

Before the blowout he had been in touch with the Ferraris of race winner Felipe Massa and runner-up Kimi Raikkonen, and had hoped to close the gap at the final pitstop.

''I knew they were battling with each other, and I knew I also had six more laps of fuel than them, and that there was a chance to close the gap and maybe jump at least one of the Ferraris at the pit stop,'' he said.

''But the tyre went and that was my best shot gone.'' REUTERS TB LS RAI2244