MAGNY-COURS, France, June 19, 2008 (AFP) - Briton Lewis Hamilton admitted that he has been finding it difficult to tackle the pressure ahead of this weekend´s French Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old McLaren Mercedes driver conceded that he has lost focus because of the weight of his own expectations and has not been enjoying life behind the wheel.

Hamilton said: "The sport is fun, but there´s a way you have to learn to enjoy it. There´s so much pressure, and I can´t begin to explain how much pressure I have on my shoulders.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself [earlier in the season], too much, and that led to mistakes, being too on the limit. I wasn´t really enjoying it, to be honest."

However Hamilton is determined to start reveling in the sport again and believes that he couldn´t be in a better place.

"When you don´t succeed it doesn´t feel so great, but these are character-building days and the days that make you stronger.

"I didn´t win the last race, but I´m loving this. I get to come back here, work with the guys and push forward; there´s a great atmosphere, always pushing to get better and I wouldn´t change it for the world. I´m really enjoying myself now."

"You can´t lose this circuit," Hamilton stressed. "It´s got real character and class and it´s been around for years. If you lose it, F1 won´t be the same.

"I don´t get involved in the politics, but anything I can do to help [the British Grand Prix], I will. I feel the business is getting stronger, and stands a stronger chance of saving it."