HAMILTON TO HIT THE SKIDS
Lewis worried over wet tyres
LEWIS HAMILTON is feeling the heat with heavy rain forecast to hit the Chinese Grand Prix.
Hamilton is regarded as one of the finest wet-weather drivers.
But the Brit – who finished second to Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel at the Melbourne opener – expects to be at a disadvantage heading into Sunday’s second round of the championship.
Problem
The triple world champion did not participate in last month’s wet test in Barcelona after Mercedes cited a problem with his car.
And with the wet tyres this year wider following changes to the technical rulebook, Hamilton fears the worst.
He said: “I’m not really looking forward to a wet track because I haven’t driven on the new tyres.
“Usually I like driving in the wet, but I am a little bit apprehensive.
“If you had to bolt them on for qualifying right now, I have never driven them before. It is a much bigger tyre this year and there is a big risk that in the wet you damage the car. I have only got four engines and we have got a shortage of parts.
“I might go out and it might be exactly the same as it has been in the past, but that is unlikely.
“I have really got to learn as much as I can in a short period of time.
“But I do relish the challenge and I believe if anyone is able to do it, I can, so I will figure it out.”
Shanghai is expecting rain throughout the weekend and that could play right into Vettel’s hands.
But the German insists Hamilton’s Mercedes team remain the outfit to beat.
Vettel said: “Mercedes has to be the favourite. We had a strong first race but we really go race by race.
“We know we have a good package which puts us in a good place, but we know there are a lot of things we need to do to keep up with them and keep up with the position we are in now to fight for good races.
“The victory is the best medicine for everyone. It is good we did that but we move on.”