World champion Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren team admitted yesterday that the Formula One season-opener in Melbourne could be a struggle after an unhappy winter of testing.
 Hamilton won with a five-second margin in Australia in 2008, after starting on pole, to kickstart his title-winning season which culminated in a nerve-shredding finale in Brazil.
 But with a raft of new sporting and technical regulations being introduced and difficulties finding the pace in testing in Spain, where the new Brawn GP cars were consistently quick, Hamilton is braced for a tough start to his third season.
 "Despite weeks of winter testing, it's still difficult to know exactly who has the best package, and finding out over the weekend in Albert Park (the venue for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne) is always fascinating," said Hamilton in a team statement.
 "Perhaps McLaren Mercedes doesn't come to Melbourne with the same prospects to challenge at the front that we experienced in both 2007 and 2008, but the whole team will be working tirelessly to help us move back to the front."
 Hamilton's fears were echoed by Martin Whitmarsh, who has succeeded Ron Dennis as team principal.
 "We go into the start of the 2009 season fully aware that we do not yet have the technical package that will allow our drivers to fight at the front," said Whitmarsh.
 "In Formula 1, there is nowhere to hide: that's what makes our sport so demanding and yet so endlessly fascinating. And as a team that goes grand prix racing with the expectation of winning races and challenging for world championships, we therefore go to Melbourne with realistic expectations.
 "Nonetheless, we begin our season with huge determination to re-assert ourselves at the front and we will not rest for a moment until we have done that. Most importantly, we haven't forgotten how to win."
 Norbert Haug, the vice-president of partners Mercedes, believes that a fifth win for the team in Australia is unlikely.
 "After a total of four victories at Albert Park, this time it may not be possible to repeat Lewis's success of last year," said Haug.
 "Considering our test results we will not be as competitive at the season opener as we intend to be, and so I do not expect a qualifying result at the front of the grid. 
 "However, we will all work hard to return to the front as soon as possible and in Melbourne everybody in the team is fully motivated to do everything to achieve the best possible result."

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World champion Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren team admitted yesterday that the Formula One season-opener in Melbourne could be a struggle after an unhappy winter of testing.

Hamilton, McLaren play down Melbourne chances

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Hamilton, McLaren play down Melbourne chances

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