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Hamilton: McLaren stronger than Ferrari

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton believes his McLaren team will have a better package than Ferrari in the remaining six races of the season

"The tracks with long straights they have a slight advantage than we generally do, but I think it will balance out," Hamilton told reporters at the Spa-Francorchamps circuits on Thursday.

"Here they will be strong like they were last year. We have made a step forward with our car and we should be able to challenge them. Last year we weren't in a position to do so.

"I think in Monza they will probably be a lot quicker than they were last year, but I still feel we will have the upper hand.

"For Singapore, they will be very quick like they were in Valencia, so maybe they will have the upper hand there. We will wait and see, while in Fuji and Shanghai, we were very strong there.

"I honestly feel we've the better package for the remaining races. They are going to be able to challenge us, but I feel we have the upper hand," added the Briton.

Hamilton, winner of four races so far this season, arrives in Spa with a six-point advantage over Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who has dominated the last two races, although he retired from the Hungarian Grand Prix while leading.

The Italian squad were untouchable in last year's race at Spa, where Kimi Raikkonen led Massa to a Ferrari one-two finish.

This year Massa seems to arrive in better shape than his teammate, who has been struggling to match the Brazilian's pace in recent races.

Raikkonen is 13 points behind Hamilton in the standings, but the Briton says it's too early to write him off.

"There are six races remaining and still a lot of points available, so I don't think it's over for Kimi," he added. "For sure he has his work cut out to catch us up, and for sure Felipe is the closest target for me at the moment."

Hamilton has vowed not to relax despite his advantage in the championship and is aware that he has to continue pushing if he is to beat his rivals.

The McLaren driver is also hoping that Raikkonen and Massa take points off each other in the remaining races.

"I wouldn't say I'm in a comfortable position. You should never feel that because if you do then it's over," Hamilton said.

"I'm still attacking and I'm still driving for the last race and the end result, not focusing on just winning this race. I'm focusing on making sure I have more points than anyone else at the end of the season.

"I hope they both compete with each other and take points from each other. That would be great. I hope we as a team, with Heikki, continue to score good points. It would be great for our team.

"I hope we are able to challenge them, not only in the drivers' championship, but also the constructors'. We do have a package to be able to do that."

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