LONDON, May 12, 2008 (AFP) - Lewis Hamilton is convinced his determination not to settle for second best is the key to becoming world Formula One champion.

Hamilton, 23, was in brilliant form in Istanbul as he finished second after a ferocious battle with Felipe Massa in the Turkish Grand Prix.

His dazzling display was all the more remarkable as McLaren were forced to execute a three-stop strategy due to fears relating to the Bridgestone tyres.

But the British driver held his nerve to finish within four seconds of Massa and move within seven points of championship leader and reigning world title-holder Kimi Raikkonen, who was third.

Hamilton described the performance as the best of his career, in contrast to his sombre mood 24 hours earlier following a disappointing qualifying as he felt he had failed to give 100 per cent.

"I´m always hard on myself. I sat down after qualifying and I was very ticked off with myself because I was unhappy with the job I did," he said.

"At the end of the day the team give me a car and I have to go out and drive 100 per cent, and I didn´t extract 100 per cent from the car.

"That´s why I´m always hard on myself because we´re top drivers and we should be able to do that.

"However, if I am given a problem, I deal with it and so do the team, and that´s why I still believe that we are the best."