• Malaysian Grand Prix

Hamilton in 'a positive frame of mind' for Malaysia

Lewis Hamilton had to concede defeat to Jenson Button in Australia © Getty Images

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• Race:
• Malaysian Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Lewis Hamilton

• Teams:
• McLaren

Lewis Hamilton insists he is now "in a positive frame of mind" for the Malaysian Grand Prix after his disappointing performance in Australia.

Having qualified on pole position at Melbourne, Hamilton made a poor start and lost the lead to his team-mate Jenson Button. Button then pulled out a comfortable lead before a safety car period which saw Hamilton leapfrogged by Sebastian Vettel. Having finished third, Hamilton's body language was similar to that seen on many occasions last season, but he insists he now knows the reasons for his troubles in the race.

"After the race in Australia, it was difficult to understand exactly what happened," Hamilton said. "I was generally happy with the car all weekend, but just lacked a bit of pace compared to Jenson in the race. Afterwards, I sat down with my engineers and we went through all the data. There was a small issue with the clutch at the start: it wasn't my fault, but we now understand and know how to improve in the future.

"My race pace was pretty much identical to Jenson's, but he was able to switch the tyres on extremely well, which explains how he was able to pull a gap so quickly at the start and also after the restart."

Hamilton added that back-to-back races allowed him to refocus on Malaysia rather than dwell on the missed opportunity in Australia.

"It's encouraging and reassuring to understand the reasons for our race pace in Australia, and it puts me in a really positive frame of mind for the race in Malaysia. Plus, it always helps to be back in the car only five days after the last grand prix - you move on so quickly."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.