Lewis Hamilton anticipates a third rainy qualifying session
Although the McLaren driver, Lewis Hamilton returned satisfied from the free practice of Friday, yet he believes that a little more down force could help the car become even more competitive.
The second Friday free practice was finished by the British driver, behind Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso at 4th place. Earlier, Hamilton was able to settle right behind the two Red Bull men for third place after the first practice in the morning.
Even though he had not been able to post the fastest lap in any of the sessions, yet he is confident that the qualifying is going to be good for him. Despite the fact that he does not possess the fastest car of the season, yet he is of the view that his car would be competitive.
The 25-year-old driver reckons that if it rains on the final race day he would be able to do even better. Hamilton strongly believes that many of the drivers would not be able to do as well as he should on the wet Interlagos track. This is why after the Friday practice he said that he is hoping to see a wet qualifying.
The Korean Grand Prix held last month met heavy rainfall due to which the newly built track got further wet, making the race a very tough and challenging one. All through the two hours, drivers were seen slipping and sliding off the track. Three of the top five drivers also ended up pointless in the last round, namely, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button. On the other hand, Hamilton was able to do very well ending at second place on the podium just behind Alonso.
Recalling the results of last weekend, the British driver believes that another rainy race could actually make his chances of the second title much brighter. Presently, Hamilton stands at third place in the Drivers’ Championship with 210 points, 21 points’ adrift the charts’ topper, Alonso. The Red Bull driver, Mark Webber holds second place in the charts with his 220 points.
In order to ensure the world Championship, Hamilton needs to bag victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix now. Even though the chances of the driver are good, yet it is evident that the battle is not an easy one. While talking to the media as the Friday practices ended the driver said, "The car felt good today - I'm getting everything out of it - but I still felt it needs just a little more downforce. Still, I'm optimistic for qualifying tomorrow - especially if it rains, which I'm told it probably will. This year's car is much better than last year's car in the wet, so I feel confident that if it rains we should be able to fight for the front row.”
However, the driver very openly admitted that in case it stays dry, the Red Bull would surely be the quickest. Yet, he is confident of his chances and reckons that victory is not only dependent on the pace rather other factors like weather, engine, consistency and the pressure handling skills of the driver are also very important.
Moreover, the McLaren team Principal Martin Whitmarsh also repeated his team driver’s statement saying that the weather and new components of the car would play the decisive role now.
Furthermore, he once again praised both the McLaren drivers saying that despite all the odds he is confident that a very strong performance would be given by both Button and Hamilton. He considers the next race to be the decisive round of the 2010 Formula One season.
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