“Absolutely [it’s exciting],” Hamilton said. “In testing, initially because of
the bad tyres, we had no grip and less downforce, so it felt terrible when
we first got in it. But as you understand how to drive it, the feeling got
better and better.
“Then to arrive at the first race and be at the front, to be fighting, for
Nico to be able to win with that pace, of course you feel, ‘Shoot, this
could be a really special year’.”
The 29-year-old added: “You can never expect to have a 20-second lead. You
would hope that you can get a one or a five-second lead.
“The team have done an exceptional job. If you see what’s going on back at the
factory then you’ll know why we are where we are. If you saw the great
people that we have, for me it’s not a surprise that we are where we are.”
Hamilton has endured five frustrating seasons since he won the championship in
2008, with underperforming cars, as well as an error-strewn 2011, meaning he
has failed to add to his sole title; something which seemed inevitable when
he crossed the line in Brazil more than five years ago.
But clearly, after a hugely encouraging start to this year, the increasingly
philosophical Briton is daring to ponder what might be possible.
“It is exactly what you dream for,” he said. “It is just one race, and I’m
sure Renault have not turned their engine up to max. They’ve got
improvements to make.
“It’s the same with Ferrari. If you look at their apex speed, they have a good
car. We can’t sit back and think we don’t have to do anything more for the
year, because these guys will be chasing.
“I feel like the Red Bull is probably just as fast as our car, if they get
their engine situation as good as ours, but I don’t think they will, because
Mercedes is the best.”
If, as many predict, Mercedes are running at the front on Sunday in Sepang,
the thorny issue of team orders could again rear its ugly head.
A year ago at this event, while Red Bull stole the majority of the headlines
in front, Rosberg was unexpectedly told to hold station behind Hamilton in
third. But this year the Briton says “ground rules” have been set and
fundamentally the pair are free to race.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo said on Thursday night that he had no
involvement in Red Bull’s decision to ignore advice from the sport’s ruling
body in the fuel-flow row that led to him being excluded from his home race.
The Red Bull newcomer added he was determined not to become a “one-hit wonder”
after his outstanding drive to second place on the road in Melbourne.
How the debate surrounding the sensors pans out over the weekend could add
another twist to F1’s latest controversy, with Red Bull and the FIA in
disagreement about their reliability.
Team principal Christian Horner reiterated on Thursday that they were
“entirely confident” their cars never exceeded the maximum rate of 100kg per
hour, although whether that means they will succeed in their appeal on April
14 is another matter.