Hamilton upbeat in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton delivered a positive statement of intent after all the negativity that has swirled around the world champion of late.

The past few weeks have been the toughest of Hamilton’s career, and there remains a sense of nervous anticipation ahead of next Wednesday’s World Motor Sport Council hearing into ’lie-gate’.

McLaren have made proactive strides into attempting to sway the WMSC after Hamilton and Dave Ryan were found fabricating a story to the stewards to claim third place at the Australian Grand Prix.

Hamilton has issued an emotional apology; Ryan has been sacked; Ron Dennis has departed as CEO of McLaren Racing, and team boss Martin Whitmarsh has confirmed writing a letter to the FIA admitting his team’s guilt.

McLaren are far from off the hook as they have effectively pleaded guilty to all five charges against them of deception, and it is now in the hands of the WMSC to determine how deep within the team the deceit ran.

A heavy fine is anticipated, and the suggestion in the paddock in Bahrain is of McLaren being handed a suspended sentence whereby another indiscretion within a certain timeframe will lead to a race ban.