LEWIS Hamilton believes that as world champion it is now time for him to stand up and be counted.
Just seven days after a tense, edgy, inhibited press gathering at the back of the McLaren garage in Shanghai, Hamilton was a little more positive, more lucid in Bahrain yesterday.
There were still no direct questions to be asked pertaining to the
"lie-gate" hearing due to take place in front of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday.
Instead, there was a skirting around the edges of a subject which has tainted the team, with queries about his feelings and focus following one of the most turbulent periods of his career. The 24-year-old was still guarded at times, but then more at ease at others, to suggest he was now stronger and had learned from the experience, or "personal trauma" as it was put to him.
"Your words. It's just one of those tough times," said Hamilton. "I'm working hard to put it behind me, and as every day goes by I'm feeling better and better and more prepared. I definitely feel stronger and far more experienced after what has happened over the past few weeks."
In China, there was furious conjecture that followed a tame reply to questions about Hamilton's long-term future with the team. With rumours flying of a rift between himself, his father Anthony and the McLaren hierarchy, Hamilton hardly nailed his colours to the mast when pressed on the subject.
A week on, and there was no doubting his commitment as he spelled out his desire to be the world champion he is, to drive the team, now and into the future. "I thought it was just a silly question (in China)," said Hamilton. "I'm here, I'm enjoying myself and my time at the team. I don't abandon my team when times get tough. We ride the bad and good times together, so I'm happy where I am."
When it was put to Hamilton that as world champion it was time for him to stand up and be counted, to be that strong driver, his answer was unequivocal. "Definitely. It's a good challenge, and I definitely feel I am up for it," replied the Briton. "Literally, my job is to drive the team forward, to keep doing a good job, and that's what I'm trying to do."
Hamilton had a positive start in practice ahead of tomorrow's race as he finished with the fourth fastest time overall following the two 90-minute sessions at the Sakhir circuit. He had clocked the quickest time in the morning, lapping 1:33.647.
Underlining his positivity, Hamilton is adamant that despite a slow start and the fact he trails leader Jenson Button by 17 points in the standings, he is far from giving up on retaining his crown. "I think it (the title) is still on, and although the other guys are quite a bit ahead, I guess anything can happen in 14 races," he said. "We remain optimistic and we will just keep doing the best job we can. If we can catch up, we catch up. If not then we will focus on next season."
Germany's Nico Rosberg put Williams on top of the timesheets yesterday when he lapped in a time of 1min 33.339sec. Renault's Fernando Alonso was second fastest in the afternoon while Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, winner of the last race in China, was fourth fastest in the second session ahead of Australian team-mate Mark Webber and Brawn GP's Button.
The full article contains 603 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
