Hamilton: "McLaren Didn't Give Me a Title Winning Car"

Lewis Hamilton

McLaren paid tribute to their lack of aerodynamic updates to the MP4-24 for the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, and left Barcelona empty-handed. Heikki Kovalainen had a disappointing weekend to begin with, while Lewis Hamilton fought in vain in the mid-pack to eventually finish outside the points for the first time this season.

While insisting the title race is not over yet, the reigning world champion admitted McLaren can't possibly challenge for podium under its current state. He said he gave his heart out for a good result in Spain, but the car simply didn't help him. Although avoiding to point any fingers, Hamilton revealed the team did not give him a car to defend his championship with.

“What can I do? I drove my heart out, as I always do. It's just that the car is not good. I just had no grip. It's just a shame they (McLaren) haven't given me a car to defend the championship with. The car is that bad. I'm driving the socks off it. There's just no hope,” said the British driver in an interview with BBC TV.

Although rumored that his relationship with the team's mechanics has cooled off in the last few days, Hamilton did not blame his team for the poor performances of the MP4-24. The Woking based outfit did not bring any significant updates to their 2009 challenger in Barcelona because tof their low-winning record in Catalonia. The first major facelift for the MP4-24 is expected to arrive in Istanbul.

“At the moment, for sure we don't have the car to win the championship, but the team have done a fantastic job and every weekend they do a fantastic job. We have great reliability and the morale in the team is high. It's just a shame they've not given me a car to defend the championship with,” added the McLaren driver.

Hamilton is currently 7th overall in the drivers' standings, some 32 points behind championship leader Jenson Button.