Hamilton hopes to avoid trouble at Chinese Grand Prix

London, Apr 16(ANI): British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton wants to avoid any trouble during the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend after the mess he endured in Australia and Malaysia.

“After Malaysia I had a little bit of time to reflect on the year so far. I”m pleased with the results Jenson and I have been able to achieve in some challenging circumstances,” The Sun quoted Hamilton, as saying.

“I’m now really looking forward to an uninterrupted weekend in China. So, we can focus on racing and competing with the other leading teams in the championship,” he added.

Hamilton further believes that Red Bull and Ferrari remain the teams to beat at the Shanghai circuit.

“I still think Red Bull and Ferrari are the teams to beat, the same as every race. Sebastian [Vettel] could be quite a bit ahead [in the championship] at the moment, but it’s very close and I hope it will continue to be so,” Hamilton said.

“Anything can happen as we go forward and we cannot afford too many DNFs (did not finish). Each team is trying to remain as consistent as possible right now,” he added. (ANI)

Hamilton tops first training in China GP

Shanghai – Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton Friday topped the timesheets in the first practice for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver completed the fastest round of the 5.451-kilometre Shanghai circuit in 1:37.334 minutes, 0.116 seconds ahead of GP Brawn driver Jenson Button.

Button’s Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello came third, followed by McLaren’s Heikki Kovaleinen, indicating a closing gap between the two teams.

Earlier this week a Formula One court ruled diffusers improving downforce used by Brawn, Toyota and Williams legal, McLaren and other teams now may have to catch up to emulate the technology.

Hamilton’s performance was also good news for McLaren, as the world champion’s team was disqualified after the Australian GP for misleading race stewards.

Marc Webber in Red Bull came in fifth, followed by Toyota driver Jarno Trulli and Nico Rosberg in Williams.

Ferrari pilot Kimi Raikkonen was only 11th, his teammate Felipe Massa made 15th position. (dpa)