A year after winning the Australian Grand Prix from pole position, reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton will open his 2009 season from the back of the grid.
Hamilton qualified 15th fastest Saturday after a gearbox problem forced him to drop out after the first session at Melbourne’s Albert Park. McLaren’s decision to replace his gearbox means Hamilton will now start the season’s first GP from last place on the grid.
“I still feel we’re going to come back strong. We still have the team and opportunity to win this championship, regardless if others are a bit ahead of us at the moment.”
Hamilton insists he is a far wiser character this season, citing in particular last year’s first corner charge at the Japanese Grand Prix when he forced Kimi Raikkonen off the circuit.
“I guess Sunday will be a test of my character,” added Hamilton.
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Even though his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen’s car ran reliably, the Finn was unable to qualify any higher than 14th as McLaren continued to struggle for speed.
“The car’s overall balance was good, we just don’t have enough grip at the moment to make the best use of it,” he said.
“The team has worked so hard, and we have made progress over the past few weeks so it gives us all a lot of hope that we will get back to the front before too long.”
Team boss Martin Whitmarsh said the drivers had done their best in adversity, and promised the car would improve soon.
“Both drivers did a good job in circumstances that were difficult for us all,” he said.
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