SINGAPORE, Sept 25, 2008 (AFP) - World championship leader Lewis Hamilton insisted Thursday the drama of his Belgium Grand Prix appeal had not affected his preparations for Singapore, saying he was oozing confidence.

The Briton arrived here Tuesday straight from Paris where he lost his appeal to have his win at Spa-Francorchamps reinstated after ruling body the FIA confirmed a 25-second sanction against him for cutting a chicane.

Race officials had overturned his win and demoted him to third in the belief that he had gained an unfair advantage.

Hamilton said he had put the issue behind him and was only focused on winning in Singapore to help shore up his one point advantage over Ferrari´s Felipe Massa with just four Grand Prix left this season.

"It didn´t really disrupt my week to be honest. I went straight from there (appeals court) to the airport and onto the plane. It was kind of like a long stopover, just as boring," he said.

Realistically, the race for the championship is now between Hamilton (78 points) and Massa (77), although Robert Kubica, Kimi Raikkonen, Nick Heidfeld and Heikki Kovalainen are still contenders.

"With Paris behind us we can give it (the championship) our best shot. We move on and that is all in the past now," said Hamilton.

"I think we can approach these next races with the same confidence we did the last few because we have got a great package, we have done a great job to prepare the car.

"I´ve got great confidence in the car, the reliability is good. I just need to take the right steps over the weekend, but I really feel confident."

Despite being in the mood to conquer the Singapore street circuit, raced under lights for the first time ever, the Briton is also cautious that he can easily be beaten in the sprint to the world crown.

Last year he looked odds-on to win the championship in his rookie season before errors in his final two races handed the title to Raikkonen.

"We must not get ahead of ourselves," he said.

"There are a lot of competitors here this weekend pushing for the win, so I need to just try and do the best job I can.

"These last four races are like starting from scratch. There´s only one point in it and I´ve got to look at this race the same as I have over the last few races and really try and attack this weekend and get points."

The fact that this is the inaugural Grand Prix in Singapore and the first time in history that Formula One has raced after dark is extra motivation for the 23-year-old.

"To come here for the first time and see this beautiful city and win the first night race would be special," he said.

"It will not be the same as winning your home Grand Prix, but I think a win here will be special for every driver."

Hamilton has been busy with sponsor commitments since his arrival but will walk the circuit after dark for the first time later Thursday.

From what he has seen so far he thinks overtaking will be possible.

"It is a wide circuit so there will definitely be room to overtake, although whether we can do so we will not find out until we get in the car," he said, adding that he hoped the rain that often lashes Singapore stays away.

"We always hope for a dry race because it is easier, easier to push the car to the limit. In the wet it is different," he said.

"But the fact is we have the best car for both conditions so whether dry or wet, I´m not bothered."