Lewis Hamilton has warned McLaren and himself, that they must not get too carried away with their good form and lose focus on their title ambitions.
Despite not winning in Australia, Hamilton proved the MP4-27’s pace in qualifying by securing pole ahead of his team-mate Jenson Button. Button then went on to win the race, further strengthening the belief that McLaren have the quickest car.
The 27-year-old is confident that he can challenge for his second title with this car, but he expects it’ll be a close run thing.
“I know this is a car I can definitely challenge for the title with,” the Telegraph quote Hamilton as saying. “Jenson proved it. He had a fantastic race and it’s definitely a good start to the year that both of us finished on the podium and in the points.
“It’s still going to be a close season because the Red Bulls are massively quick, and God knows where they came from on Sunday. We’re still going to be able to attack, but for us to start at the front is a pretty good way forward,” he said.
“As for me, I definitely do feel as though I’ve got it in myself to go for the title. I feel as ready as ever. I was ready on Sunday, it’s just that some things didn’t go my way.”
With a decent car beneath him and a better support network, things are looking up for Hamilton. However he’s aware how quickly things can change and has warned McLaren, and himself, not to become too complacent with its position at the front.
“We can’t get too carried away with it because even Ferrari were quick in the race,” added the 2008 world champion. “As for the Red Bulls, they look as though they have less [tyre] degradation than us, maybe. So it’s too early to tell.
“In qualifying we were massively quick and competitive, but they were massively quick in the race. They are still a force to be reckoned with. I guess we’re just an edge ahead, but we can’t get too complacent.
“We’ll look ahead with increased confidence. We just need to get more one-two’s, but we’re there. We’re as quick as them at least.”
