Q & A with Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton: The testing has gone very well, testing out the engine and also the car, running through a programme, and it has been going very well. The pace is good, Ferrari's too, but we seem to be very quick.

Q. Do you think Ferrari now seem to have an upper hand?

LH: I don't necessarily agree with that. For sure, at some tests we are on top, and here Ferrari has been very strong. I think for sure they have a different programme to us, we do not know what fuel they are running, you don't know what fuel we are running, so it is difficult to say who is quickest but I think Ferrari and McLaren are the two main competitors for the title.

Q. You must be proud you are already performing at the same level as the champion, having arrived at the scene so recently...

LH: As I said, the testing has gone very well, and I think I have adapted to the team quite well. We have done a lot of work in the last three months to prepare me for the first race, and this is my last day of the testing. I have done a lot of testing, I must be have done the most mileage of all drivers I would have thought. The race is another new thing to me. I have to learn a lot, it has been intense but we will see in the first race. It is the beginning of another steep learning curve for me.

Q. How confident are you in the car?

LH: I am very very confident, the car is definitely better than last year's and so is the engine. We have a very strong package. Again we will see what happens in the first race. Williams are not here so we don't know what they are up to. I don't think anyone is showing their cards yet. Obviously we are in a good position, we still have a lot of work to do and throughout the season we will continue to improve.

Q. How easy is it to win a race?

LH: It is difficult to say. Testing is one thing, and racing is completely different. Until we get to the first race I do not know what to expect. I will try to do the best job I can, try to score some points with them. That would be amazing.

Q. Are you looking forward to Melbourne or it comes too soon?

LH: No, it is taking too long! As I said, the testing has been six weeks and I have been testing three days each. I am extremely excited for the first race. I cannot wait to arrive in Australia, I have never been there before, and to be on the grid to see my first GP...

Q. How difficult is it to prepare as a racing driver straight away?

LH: Well, I don't know, I have never been a test driver. I have been working with test drivers like Pedro, then working with Fernando, I have learnt a lot from both of them. It is definitely a different programme. I am developing the new car but also I have to learn a lot of race strategy and other things which might come up in the race. It is different, but I think I am quite familiar now.

Q. Any surprises in F1?

LH: I am surprised to see so many people are involved in F1 to produce the best car. It is amazing to see how many people in the factory are working day and night to develop the new car parts for the two drivers, just to have them on the gird, it is quite unique. It is important for me, when I go back to the factory. I work and show that I recognise that they are working very hard.

Q. Is there anything to improve?

LH: I am a rookie, I have not got the first race yet. As I said there is a lot to learn. I need to improve in a lot of areas. I don't think there is a limit, any driver can improve. I think even Schumacher was improving.