Even in saturating humidity yesterday, Hamilton chose to go on a long run to
help him acclimatise more effectively. Asked if there was greater potential
still to unleash in his Mercedes, Hamilton replied: “I feel that there is
more in the car and that we can set it up to be quicker. I am not thinking
about winning the championship this year, I am just hoping that we can win a
race. In terms of pure speed, we don’t have that at the moment.”
While the true F1 hierarchy this season is unlikely to emerge fully until the
drivers arrive in Barcelona in May, Hamilton admitted he was especially
impressed by the pace of Ferrari, and by the immediate impact of surprise
contenders Lotus.
Describing Kimi Raikkonen, winner at Albert Park and a man with whom he is
often bracketed in raw speed alone, he said, smiling: “I have only seen him
once and that was on the track when he went past me. He is still quite young
at 33, still a former world champion and one of the best drivers we have out
there. Just because he has been away for a few years, it doesn’t mean that
he changes.”