Lewis Hamilton says he has learned the "value of consistency"

The McLaren driver has started from first place both in Australia and Malaysia but has failed to capitalise on his pole positions, finishing third in both races.

The Briton says, however, that the 2011 season taught him the value of scoring points consistently rather than go all out for victories all the time.

And Hamilton believes it is just a matter of time before he wins again.

"I won't deny that I'm disappointed to have had two pole positions and not to have been able to convert either of them into victories, but I prefer to think of it that luck just hasn't been on my side, and that it will swing my way sooner or later," said Hamilton.

"I also think last year taught me the value of consistency: it's no use chasing a great result if you can't back it up with another strong finish the following week. So maybe I'm just playing myself in gently: after all, in 2007, I didn't win a race until the sixth round, and I was in the hunt for the title all through the year.

"I still don't think the pecking order has settled down yet, so it's important to get some good results in the bag while we can. It will be very interesting to see how the order has shaken itself out over the last three weeks - it's going to be an interesting weekend."

Hamilton also reckons McLaren will be in a position to fight for victory again in China next week, but he conceded he is ready to settle for a points finish in victory is out of reach.

"I'm looking at the championship as a whole - although, of course, I'd love to win every race, it's more important to be in a good points-scoring position at every race. I think the first two races have shown that, as a team, we're definitely in positions to win.

"I think Malaysia was a good example of how to pick up points when you're looking at the championship - and that was something I really took away as a positive from that race. But yeah, I'll be heading to China looking to win - but it's just as important to pick up some good points if, for whatever reason, a win isn't on the cards."