Hamilton hails ‘best race’ yet

LEWIS HAMILTON believes his Australian Grand Prix triumph is the best of his five Formula One wins so far.

The McLaren driver cruised to victory at Albert Park yesterday, claiming the opening race of the season by 5.4 seconds from BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld – with Nico Rosberg securing a maiden podium by finishing third in his Williams.

A frenetic season-opening contest saw only seven cars eventually cross the line after 58 laps of racing during another scorching Melbourne afternoon.

But Hamilton was coolness personified as he led from the front for the vast majority of the race, despite twice seeing his advantage reduced to nothing by the deployment of the safety car.

His performance was in stark contrast to that of ‘Iceman’ Kimi Raikkonen, who had begun the day aiming for minor points after a fuel pump problem had relegated the Finn to 15th on the grid.

That he managed to claim even one was the only piece of good fortune the current world champion experienced all weekend, after sixth-placed driver Rubens Barrichello was disqualified for exiting the pit lane with the red light on.

There were no such problems for Hamilton, the 23-year-old effortlessly easing away from the field three times after safety car periods – producing a faultless display, driving within himself.

After his maiden victory in Montreal last year, also highlighted by numerous interruptions, Hamilton went on to taste success three more times.

But he rates his Australian triumph even higher than the stunning victory in near-monsoon conditions at the Fuji Speedway in Japan last year.

“It’s probably the best race I’ve had so far – in terms of managing tyres, controlling my pace and confidence, and being comfortable in the car.” he said.

“It’s quite different to my first win in Montreal, just because it was not really expected.’’

And after the trials and tribulations of last season, Hamilton was delighted to start the 2008 campaign on a positive note.

“I wouldn’t say it draws a line under it last season,” he added. “But for sure, coming into a new season, turning over a new leaf, we really wanted to get off on the right foot.

“Ron Dennis has been through a lot – so have the team – but we pulled through, and it really shows in the results.

“I’m glad he’s happy. It’s an emotional feeling to win the first grand prix of the season – especially with all the winter testing, the whole build-up, not really knowing whether you had the pace of everyone else, whether you would be able to win, whether the cars could be reliable.

“But when you come out on top it’s a real relief and great satisfaction.”

Despite Ferrari’s disastrous start, Hamilton is far too shrewd to start writing off the Italian team just yet.

“I think a lot of hype was put on them,” he said.

“They’ve obviously had a tough weekend. But we can’t forget that they are a great team and they have a very good car and two great drivers as well.

“One bad weekend – I’m sure everyone could have a bad weekend at some point during the season. There are still 17 races to go.”