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Hamilton Worried About 2010 Title Fight

Prior to the Sunday race, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton insisted that the pace disclosed by the two Red Bull racers in the qualifying session of the Hungarian Grand Prix – when Sebastian Vettel was a full second quicker than any other driver – doesn't worry him in terms of his title chances this season.

But then the race came and the 2008 F1 champion had to retire due to a mechanical problem, losing 25 points to Mark Webber and, consequently, his leading position in the overall standings. Trailing the 33-year old Australian by 4 points and having the other Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel on his tails at only 6 points behind, Hamilton now feels the heat of the title fight more than ever.

With only 7 rounds to go in the 2010 Formula One championship, Hamilton feels that his team has to make the most of this summer break to get back into title contention. With how things look at the moment, McLaren will not only have to get closer to Red Bull, but also to Ferrari.

We're hanging on by a thin thread at the moment. If they (Red Bull) continue with the pace they have, then we really don't have huge hope. At this stage of the season, to be so far off and to have a DNF like we did, whilst we are still in the hunt for the Championship, it's obviously serious,” admitted Ham after the Hungarian race.

“It's not a case to look upon lightly, not that we do, and it's not a case of saying 'oh, it's all right, at the next race we'll be okay'. It's a case where we have to pull together everything we have, in terms of resources of the team, the knowledge we all have, and to be the most united we have ever been.

The British racer insisted however that he has not lost faith in his team and believes the summer break came at the right time for McLaren, who will now have plenty of time to reassess the situation and bounce back.

I do believe we can catch them. I have complete faith in my team, and I still feel we can do it, that when we get back (following the holiday), everyone will be attacking, will have ideas. As soon as the shutdown is over, I know people will be working from the second they're back at work because if anyone can do it, we can.”
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