Hamilton braced for tough grand prix after grip issues in qualifying

The McLaren driver had headed in to the weekend as one of the favourites, but problems getting the intermediate tyres in to the right operating window in final qualifying left him down in eighth place on the grid.

With mixed weather conditions expected for Sunday's race, Hamilton knows he is going to have his work cut out if he is going to turn his situation around.

"It will be tough for us, but we will be fighting as much as we always do to try and get up as high as possible," said Hamilton. "Jenson [Button] showed in the past coming right from the back that it is possible.

"Fernando [Alonso] showed in the last race that coming from quite far back is still possible, but those guys are still very quick as well. We just have to do the best job we can and see what happens."

Should the race be hit with showers, then Hamilton thinks that tyre management will be critical to the outcome of the race.

"It is going to be an incredibly tough race, looking after these tyres - getting them working, avoiding standing water," he said.

"Of course our experience will come into play and anything can happen. And that is the exciting part of it. You have to go in with your heart and your head and get on with it."