Lewis Hamilton says McLaren’s MP4-26 not a mess and is capable of doing faster times – Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton of McLaren has commented that the MP4-26 is overly criticised of its speed and is not two seconds behind the pace sitter, Red Bull.
He added that the lap time of 1 minute and 22 seconds will be helpful in the long stints.
The pre-season testing did not go as well as the McLaren team would have thought. With world champion drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in the team, the MP4-26 was not as competitive as McLaren had in previous years.
Both drivers were mostly in the pits as the car faced mechanical and electrical problems often. “I'm not going to lie. It's not the best way to go into the season,” admitted Jenson Button about the car. Hamilton was also not very happy about the car but
now suddenly he thinks that the new car can do wonders.
Hamilton said, “I am optimistic and hope for positive improvements. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the guys come up with something new.”
He mentioned the last year where their car was slower in the pre-season tests and said that it is a long way to go but he is hopeful of McLaren to return in the top five.
McLaren have been recently regarded as the slowest car on the grid by a report from Germany’s analyst. The report said that they are also the most unreliable car with some major technical issues. McLaren have also managed half the miles than the Ferrari
team who have done almost 7,000 km.
Hamilton said that the car can easily do lower times than 1 minute and 22 seconds which is good in the races. On the last day of the Barcelona test, five drivers Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Rubens Barrichello, Fernando Alonso and Nick Heidfeld did
1:22 or better. With this assessment, Hamilton will still be far behind the podium and even far from the championship hopes.
The season starts in Melbourne in less than two weeks and the McLaren team will have to upgrade their car if they are to become a real threat for Red Bull and Ferrari.
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