Hamilton struggles in Barcelona
LEWIS: I FEEL PRESSURE
LEWIS HAMILTON admits he is struggling with the weight of expectation that he will be Britain's next world champion.
Hamilton was tipped to roar to the F1 crown this year after coming within one point of winning the title in his rookie season. But the McLaren driver's mistakes in the last couple of races have cost him dear.
And as the Brit makes his 21st Grand Prix start in Spain this afternoon he declared: "Last year I was just a driver who was here to have fun.
"Now I'm trying to carry my country on my shoulders, as well as a massive team. I'm 23, but it is a lot to take on. I'm not the most experienced driver and I'm human.
"I'm bound to make mistakes at some stage. The pressure is greater than last year.
"I'm aware the whole country wants me to be world champion."
Mistake
Hamilton will line up fifth on the grid this afternoon-behind Ferrari pole-setter and chief title rival Kimi Raikkonen.
Hamilton has slipped five points behind the Finn after two nightmare Grands Prix in Malaysia and Bahrain.
He messed up his start in Sakhir and then crashed into the back of Fernando Alonso's Renault. Hamilton added: "I knew my mistakes would be amplified. Now there's a lot of pressure, most of it coming from me."
But McLaren boss Ron Dennis insisted: "Lewis is too hard on himself and I have told him so. He has had a phenomenal run since he came into F1.
"There was a slight drop-off in performance at the last race when he made a small mistake but he is still learning.
"He was a great racing driver last year and will continue to be a great racing driver."
Jenson Button starts 13th for Honda with Red Bull's David Coulthard 17th. Anthony Davidson will line-up 21st for what could be his final grand prix if Super Aguri fail to find a new backer.
STARTING GRID
1 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1min 21.813secs
2 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:21.904
3 Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari 1:22.058
4 Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:22.065
5 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) McLaren 1:22.096
6 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren 1:22.231
7 Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1:22.429
8 Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:22.529
9 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:22.542
10 Nelson Piquet Jr. (Bra) Renault 1:22.699
11 Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Honda 1:21.049
12 Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams 1:21.117
13 Jenson Button (Gbr) Honda 1:21.211
14 Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 1:21.230
15 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams 1:21.349
16 Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:21.724
17 David Coulthard (Gbr) Red Bull 1:21.810
18 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:22.108
19 Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India 1:22.516
20 Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India 1:23.224
21 Anthony Davidson (Gbr) Super Aguri 1:23.318
22 Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri 1:23.496
Comments