Hamilton - McLaren not favourites

Date published : 01 Mar 2010 - 19:16:22

Lewis Hamilton believes McLaren are in a strong position ahead of the season-opening grand prix in Bahrain next week.

It is all a far cry from a year ago, when the team were languishing at the back of the pack following a wretched pre-season. But, after new team-mate Jenson Button was quickest at the end of the two tests in Jerez, Hamilton finished at the top of the timesheets come the conclusion of the final test in Barcelona on Sunday.

McLaren's pace prompted returning seven-times champion Michael Schumacher to suggest the Woking-based marque are currently the strongest team. Hamilton, though, disagreed as he said: "I don't think we're in the strongest position. I think we're in a strong position, just as they (Schumacher's Mercedes GP) are."

He added: "It really is impossible to say who is the fastest. You don't know what fuel loads everyone was on.

"On the long runs, if you look at the times, I did a race distance so you can guess what fuel load I was on.

"The times I did were very competitive, probably the most competitive of the day, so that was a big boost of confidence for me.

"Still, I think the Mercedes was very competitive over its long runs and so was the Ferrari.

"We have to keep pushing because I'm sure other people will come with updates for the first race, so we're pushing as hard as we can to find some more time."