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Hamilton pinpoints areas for improvement

Lewis Hamilton has dropped from pole position to third at both races this season © Getty Images

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Lewis Hamilton says McLaren must improve its car's low-speed downforce and make slicker pit stops in order to remain at the front of the pack this season.

McLaren have made a strong start to the season and currently leads the constructors' championship, but Hamilton has dropped from pole position to third at both of the opening races. After Malaysia he revealed that he plans to return to the factory ahead of the next race to help his team work on its weaknesses.

"In qualifying we are very quick but we need to be quicker in the race," he was quoted by the Guardian. "Our low speed downforce needs to improve. If we make some improvements to the car and maybe our pit stops then we can do a little better. We will have some upgrades I hope. I will go back and push the guys to see if we can get some upgrades to try and eke ahead of the guys particularly in the race."

But Hamilton also feels he has been unlucky this season and is confident his luck will change.

"It definitely feels like some things are not going my way," he said. "In Australia the safety car kind of screwed me and in Malaysia, at the first pit stop, I was in the lead quite comfortably. But with the double shuffle with the Ferraris, I don't know if it was a bad call from my team, but I lost two places. Then I had problems with the right rear jack in the next stop and then in the one after that I had a problem with my right front. So it was a little bit unfortunate but my time will come I'm sure."

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