Heikki takes on Lewis as he moves up a gear

13 April 2012

One year on from one of McLaren's darkest races, Lewis Hamilton's belief that all is now sweetness and light has been called into question by an ominous statement of intent issued by Heikki Kovalainen.

At last year's Hungarian Grand Prix the fragile relationship that already existed between Hamilton and Kovalainen's predecessor as his teammate, two-times world champion Fernando Alonso, developed into a full-scale feud.

First, Hamilton had blocked Alonso during a tense qualifying session. Then Alonso retaliated by deliberately delaying Hamilton in the pits, depriving him of the chance to go for pole position.

All this was played out against the background of a developing scandal involving spying allegations made against McLaren by arch-rivals Ferrari which eventually resulted in McLaren being fined £50million and excluded from the constructors' championship.

Hamilton, 23, returned to the Hungaroring circuit near Budapest yesterday insisting: "It's a much smoother year this time, a nicer environment, and that's how things should be.

"I think we're better placed as a team to win the championship this year. We don't have any excess baggage on our shoulders and I have a solid relationship with my team-mate, which helps."

But 26-year-old Kovalainen, given a timely vote of confidence by McLaren who yesterday confirmed he will be retained next season, has now given his own interpretation of that " relationship".

And the concept of 'team' does not appear to play a part in it as he attempts to move up a gear.

The Finn, who has been out-raced by Hamilton in recent Grands Prix and needs to raise his game, said: "I am trying to do the maximum for myself and I am not helping any other drivers, that's for sure. In the past it has been very clear that at McLaren they have had the policy of equal drivers and both have the same opportunities. I have the same car, the same opportunity and I am just working towards improving the pace and the results.

"There is great potential in this team and I want to be part of it. I want to become a successful driver in this team and hopefully we can announce at some point in the future that I can stay here for many, many years."

Strong words, but the all-important momentum is with Hamilton. The British ace comes to the 11th round of the title chase boosted by back-to-back wins in Britain and Germany which have given him a four-point championship lead over Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

He said: "When you have a bad weekend you go into the next thinking 'okay, let's start again' and trying not to make the same sort of mistakes again.

"But when you come off a win you don't have any thoughts like that. You just plan to do exactly the same thing. You feel relaxed and you don't have any confusion in the back of your mind."

Hamilton, who won this race last year, is bidding to become the first driver to win three races in a row since Michael Schumacher in 2006, and the first Briton to do so since Damon Hill in 1996.

He said: "That's of no importance to me. I'd like to continue with the momentum I have, but our aim this weekend will just be to score as many points as we can. If we have the car to win I will try to do that, but otherwise it will just be nice to get on the podium."

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Heikki takes on Lewis as he moves up a gear

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