Title pacemaker Lewis Hamilton is determined to go one better than his hero Ayrton Senna in Sunday’s Russian showdown.

The 30-year-old Mercedes high flyer seeks to clinch his 42nd grand prix victory in an action replay of last season’s brilliant triumph from pole position at the brand new Sochi Autodrome.

And that will better the Brazilian legend’s tally of titles — and take Hamilton a crucial step nearer his third world crown, the same number of championships as Senna, with just six races left on the calendar and eight already won.

“It’s like a fantastic dream,” says Hamilton, facing his 163rd grand prix. “I can’t believe it is all happening to me.”

He is not alone in his wonderment....

Former world champion Nigel Mansell reckons fellow Briton Hamilton is the greatest ever British driver and a sure-fire Formula One legend in the making.

“He will, I have no doubt, level Ayrton’s record of three world titles — and will go on to win even more races and more championships.

“He is a fantastically gifted driver, determined and skilful, and he’s set to break all sorts of records,” said Mansell, the 1992 champion, a veteran of 187 GPs.

Mansell, himself a winner 31 times, added: “Lewis is a gifted driver. Outstanding.

“He is one of the finest drivers of all time, the best we have ever produced and one of the most skilled the world has ever seen.”

Hamilton, 48 points ahead of German teammate Nico Rosberg, said: “Nigel’s praise is very flattering. I’ll do my best to live up to his expectations and give it my all right to the last chequered flag.”

Before he jetted off to Russia, the much-in-demand race ace, Britain’s highest-paid sportsman on around £25 million (Dh139.25 million) a year, was a guest, along with a host of international movie stars, at a London dinner party thrown by Hollywood idol George Clooney.

“My life right now is amazing,” he said before taking to the skies in his own private jet that cost him £20 million, but still left him with around £80 million in the bank.

Not bad for a humble lad who used to have to sleep on a sofa in his poorly-off parents’ one-bedroom apartment north of London.

So what about the Russian clash that could and should extend his 48-point championship lead over Rosberg?

“Russia last year was a great race for me — and it was just fantastic to be the first ever winner there,” he grins. ”And I’ll be pushing as hard as I know how to make it all happen again.

“Up to now it has been an incredible season and Japan last time out was really special with another fantastic result.

“I am feeling so good and confident I am buzzing all the time — and the car the team has put together so superbly is incredible to drive.”

Almost impossible to beat, too.

— The writer is a freelance journalist and motorsport expert