• Spanish Grand Prix FP2

Hamilton wary of predictions

Lewis Hamilton matched the Red Bulls for pace during second practice © Sutton Images

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• Report:
• Webber pips Hamilton in second practice
  

• Race:
• Spanish Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Lewis Hamilton

• Teams:
• McLaren

Lewis Hamilton said he was not reading too much in to how competitive McLaren is after getting within 0.04s of Mark Webber's fastest time in practice for the Spanish Grand Prix.

After Webber and team-mate Sebastian Vettel set the fastest two times on soft tyres in the afternoon session, Hamilton surprised most by splitting the pair after Jenson Button had been 0.7s off the pace. Hamilton warned, however, that the full Red Bull performance was unknown and that he felt McLaren was no more competitive than it has been.

"It's difficult to get an accurate read on pace," Hamilton said. "We stuck to our programme today and didn't appear to be too far off, but you never know what fuel-loads or engine levels the other teams are running. Still, we got some good data and made some positive improvements so, in all likelihood, we look as competitive today as we have in the past."

Hamilton did say that the car had improved, and predicted an exciting race due to the differential between the hard and soft compound of tyre.

"We have taken some small steps forward - we put a new front-wing on and it naturally appeared to be a little bit better. Globally, it's not too bad. It didn't feel too good this morning on the harder tyre, which was difficult to switch on and difficult to make last, but this afternoon's running was very positive. There's a big difference between the two Pirelli compounds - and that will hopefully have a positive impact on the show this weekend!"

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