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Hamilton downbeat on title hopes
2011-03-09 21:04:27
Lewis Hamilton has echoed team-mate Jenson Button's concerns over the new McLaren car, saying the MP4-26 is far from ready to mount a title challenge.
Since its belated unveiling last month, the new car has had a number of problems, including at this week's final pre-season testing in Barcelona.
"Do I believe I have a car to win the world championship at the moment? I don't. No," said Hamilton.
"But that doesn't mean it won't become a world championship-winning car."
On Tuesday, Jenson Button said he believed McLaren would not be able to challenge rivals Red Bull and Ferrari at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on 27 March.
Button was 0.366 seconds behind Red Bull driver Mark Webber's best time in testing at Barcelona but his time was limited in the morning session because of exhaust problems.
Hamilton was fourth behind world champion Sebastian Vettel on Wednesday's second day after reliability issues confined him to spells in the garage.