Saturday 11 February 2012

GPUpdate

Hamilton: Difficult to close gap immediately

14 March 2010

2008 Champion Lewis Hamilton was pleased to meet his objective of finishing on the Bahrain Grand Prix podium as the season began on Sunday. The McLaren driver was yet to finish in the top three at Sakhir since doing so in his debut season three years ago but admits that the Woking outfit is not yet close enough to the front runners.

Following Sebastian Vettel's loss of the lead due to a broken exhaust, it was a Ferrari demonstration in Bahrain as Hamilton also overtook the limping German.

"Third place was a very strong result for us today," commented Stevenage driver Hamilton. "I feel that we did a good job; our reliability was great and the pace today was pretty good but we still need to push very hard to close the gap to the cars in front."

Annoyed by a first-lap mistake at Turn 4 which allowed Nico Rosberg's Mercedes through, Hamilton later suffered from vibrations caused by a flat-spotted tyre and admits that reducing the deficit will take time. "It's going to be difficult for us to close the performance gap immediately but I think I'll go back to the factory and give them the biggest push," he added.

"I know they're all pushing flat-out as it is, but we need to get some upgrades, and we need to bring as many of them forward as we possibly can."

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