Formula One news

Hamilton happy at no Brazil drive

McLaren protégé Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he is not disappointed that McLaren decided to keep Pedro de la Rosa for the last race of the season. The 21-year-old is favourite for the seat alongside Fernando Alonso next season and would rather benefit from winter testing before being thrown in at the deep end in Formula One.

"To be honest, a total of four days in the car is not ideal preparation to compete against Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher or Kimi Raikkonen," the Englishman said in a Daily Mail interview. 

Despite Formula One being his lifetime dream he would rather savour an impressive season and focus on being fully prepared for when me makes his inevitable debut. 

"I do feel I am ready," said Hamilton. "But Formula One is the pinnacle of motorsport, not something you just jump in and do. 

"I've had a fantastic season, but I could have gone there (Brazil) and experienced a disaster. It could have rained, and I've never been out in the wet in a Formula One car." 

This mature attitude is something he learnt from McLaren bosses Ron Dennis and Martin Whitmarsh, who decided against exposing Hamilton at the final race of the season. 

"I've been taught by Ron and (managing director) Martin Whitmarsh at McLaren that patience is a key virtue. I think I should gain plenty of mileage over the winter testing and learn as much as I can. 

"Look at my career: McLaren have made me wait and be patient in everything I've done — and I've won everything. I have to learn the mechanics of the car, and get to know the team, to really bond with them. The trust I have in Ron and Martin, and in McLaren-Mercedes, goes some way beyond anything else. They have guided me all the way."

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