• Chinese Grand Prix

Red Bull and Ferrari still ahead - Hamilton

ESPNF1 Staff
April 15, 2010 « Grosjean hoping for F1 return | »
Lewis Hamilton thinks Sebastian Vettel could have an advantage in Shanghai © Sutton Images
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Lewis Hamilton has admitted Red Bull and Ferrari still have the edge over his McLaren team heading into the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.

McLaren claimed to have shaved 0.3 seconds off its lap time in Malaysia but a wet qualifying session meant both drivers had to start towards the back of the grid, ruining any chance of fighting for the win. McLaren had hoped to find a similar gain in performance in Shanghai, but earlier this week engineering director Paddy Lowe admitted the team had to scrap plans to bring a new self-adjusting suspension system to the car after the FIA clarified such technology was illegal.

Hamilton believes Red Bull and Ferrari will maintain the advantage they displayed over McLaren during qualifying in the very first two rounds of the season.

"I still think Red Bull and Ferrari are the teams to beat, the same as every race," said the McLaren driver. "Sebastian [Vettel] could be quite a bit ahead at the moment, but it's very close and I hope it will continue to be so."

Hamilton added that the title was still wide open and put added emphasis on avoiding retirements to stay in the hunt.

"Anything can happen as we go forward and we cannot afford too many DNFs," he said. "Each team is trying to remain as consistent as possible right now."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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