Hamilton accepts

I want to start this post by congratulating Jenson Button on another impressive win at what was a, well, processional Turkish Grand Prix.

Although the two Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were quick, the Brit was on another planet in his Brawn and I think he completely overshadowed his closest championship rivals and his team mate Rubens Barrichello, who retired ten laps from the end with gearbox troubles.

McLaren’s woes continued this weekend, only managing a 13th and 14th respectively at the end of the race, the Woking-based team having not made any progress with MP4-24 since the Monaco Grand Prix two weeks ago.

But one thing that has altered somewhat is Lewis Hamilton’s mood. 

Happily for the Hamilton haters, the reigning world champion was distinctly downbeat at the Spanish Grand Prix, clearly frustrated by his car’s lack of pace and grip and possibly disillusioned with sport after the ‘lying scandal’, which tainted the start of his 2009 campaign. One word answers and a glazed expression was the best any journalist could hope for.  

But in interviews with the BBC during their coverage of the Turkish Grand Prix, there was a noticeable shift in Hamilton’s mood. It appeared that he has finally come to terms with the fact that he isn’t in a position to defend his title or even score points regularly. 

A cheery Hamilton effectively wrote off his chances of fighting with the Brawns and the Red Bulls for race wins this season but he confidently predicted that McLaren will be back on form in 2010 when F1 teams will run under revised rules and regulations which are aimed at cutting costs, but which have yet to agreed upon by the FIA, FOTA and FOM.

I believe this year will be a learning curve for Hamilton who, up until now, has really only experienced success. It seems that Lewis has come to terms with this and I think he will enter next season a stronger, more mature competitor.