Formula One: Hamilton keen to prove ‘McLaren is the best team’
The British driver, Lewis Hamilton believes that his team McLaren is still a title contender and is adamant to prove that at the Korean Grand Prix this weekend.
The team has been struck with severe hard luck since the past few races. Both the McLaren drivers, Hamilton and Jenson Button, after having faced a series of mishaps currently stand at fourth and fifth places respectively in the Drivers’ Championship. The
twosomes were gloriously settled at the first and second places in the tally during early summer however, Ferrari’s advent in the tug and later the team’s poor performance dimmed their chances badly.
Hamilton, who had been able to stand at the top of the charts for most part of the season, is now timidly placed at fourth after returning pointless in three of the last five races. His shaky position was further deteriorated as he faced a number of mishaps
last week at the Japanese Grand Prix, thus hardly ending the day at fifth place.
Now, as Formula One enters the next race of the season, the title hopes of McLaren seem very little. This next race is going to be a decisive one for them as one minor mistake could simply be fatal for the team’s hopes as they already stand at the edge.
With only three more races to go, one of the two McLaren drivers need to bag victory as anything less than that might not be able to save them now. Their closest competitors, Red Bull and Ferrari have already demonstrated to be much quicker than McLaren many
times all through the season yet the team has not lost heart.
As all the teams prepare to enter the newly built Korean track, Hamilton talked to the media telling his aspirations for the upcoming race,
"I'm looking forward to the weekend – I think we can have a positive race. While recent results haven't necessarily shown it, we've had a strong car – now I'm hoping to get the chance to prove it on track."
On the other hand, the McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh showed a lot of confidence on his drivers saying that both have the ability to turn the tables anytime and does not doubt their talent and hard work at all.
The 2008 world Champion Hamilton currently holds 4th place in the championship being 28 points adrift the Red Bull driver, Mark Webber while Button has a lag of 31 point. Webber, after bagging four race-wins this season leads the charts with his
220 points.
While talking to the media Whitmarsh said, "With three races remaining, and 75 points on the table for the drivers, it would be unwise to write off Jenson, Lewis or Vodafone McLaren Mercedes." He concluded saying, "Both drivers have won world championships
before – they understand the difficulties of such a unique situation, and both have learned how to deliver their best under high pressure. They will be ready for this battle.’
As the two driver’s fight for the championship battle with the Red Bulls, they both have the advantage of being immune to this sort of pressure and stress. Hamilton has won the 2008 championship only at the age of 24, being the youngest Formula One World
Champion. Similarly, Button bagged the title last year as he conquered six out of the first seven races of 2009.
Whereas, none of the two Red Bull drivers have yet been able to win a championship and neither has even fought the battle so closely.
The last three races of the season are now a competition of consistency and patience. The most controlled driver who would have the most flawless driving now would be able to bag a victory. A single error, no matter how minor could prove fatal for the hopes
now.
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