Share

Rain brings pain to McLarens

MELBOURNE, Australia - Lewis Hamilton is confident his McLaren team will challenge for pole position on the Australian F1 GP grid after a chaotic opening day's practice on Friday.

The 2008 World champion said he was very encouraged by his and team mate Jenson Button's performance on the rain-lashed first day's action and felt "massively excited" about what lay ahead.

Hamilton was 16th after completing only 11 laps in the second practice, behind his team mate and 2009 champion Jenson Button.
Button was fastest in the opening session ahead of Hamilton as the McLaren team dominated in drier conditions.

'VERY EXCITED'

Hamilton said: "We feel like we are there or thereabouts but again we don't know what fuel loads people are on. I think it looks quite close between us, maybe Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes. It's going to be interesting tomorrow...

"People usually go through the same programmes in P3 (third practice session, Saturday morning) so I think then we will get a better understanding of just how quick people are. I'm very excited to see how it goes."

He said weather dictated the amount of running in the second session, when the track dried slowly after a deluge. "It wasn't frustrating, just a bit boring. It dulls the intensity - I'd rather be in the car. In practice tomorrow we will try to make sure we get out immediately and maximise the whole session, make the correct set-up changes, so that we are in the window, in the zone.

"The tyres are the tricky part, trying to get them working in the cold conditions is not the easiest!"

Asked if it was significant that the race has been won from pole four times in the last five years, Hamilton said: "Pole is definitely a step in the right direction, but I don't think it is the be all and end all."

Hamilton has pledged to bounce back from a disappointing 2011 season when he finished fifth in the standings.

Stay with Wheels24 for the Formula 1 weekend.
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()