Zoom Hamilton and McLaren had a mountain to climb this year

The McLaren Mercedes team knew it had a problem when it began its winter testing programme with the MP4-24 during the early months of the year. When the 2009 championship started in March, the lack of pace was confirmed when Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen succeeded in taking only 14 points over the first half of the season.

Behind the scenes however, McLaren staff and engineers were working long, hard hours as they sought solutions to bridge the gap. A major upgrade to the car was introduced in time for the German Grand Prix, and success finally came when Hamilton reached the podium for the first time of the season – on the topmost step.

That achievement was followed by a second-place finish in Valencia at the European Grand Prix, another victory in Singapore, and third-place results in Japan and Brazil. Hamilton was leading a hot fight against Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel at the closing race in Abu Dhabi before the first-ever mechanical failure of his F1 career forced him to retire.

"I think we can all be proud of what we've achieved this year," Hamilton said. "We started the season with what was the slowest car in the field, but we never gave up, and (...) in Abu Dhabi, you could argue that we had the fastest car out there. That's an absolutely incredible achievement."

The efforts required in surmounting the obstacles the team faced this year were a learning experience for the 23-year-old Briton.

"I've learnt a lot about effort, dedication, motivation: things that you almost take for granted when you are at the front, but which mean a lot more when you are fighting at the back," he recognised. "I've grown as a man and as a driver. I've faced bigger hurdles this year than in my previous two seasons and I think I now know how to cope with things better than I did, even from one year ago.

"I also think we are a much closer group now, too. We've known each other for one more season, and the physical bonds between us all are so much tighter – we've been through a lot together and we know each other a lot better. That's something I really appreciate, and I think that will make us a better fighting unit next season."

Although battling for a second world crown this year was quickly dropped from the defending champion's programme in light of the car's early problems, the results obtained during the second half of the 2009 championship greatly increased Hamilton's eagerness to get back into a title chase.

"To be honest, I'm ready to go racing again next week," he said. "At the moment, I think I can safely say that I'm more in love with Formula 1 than I've ever been, and I just can't wait to get back out there again!"

Daniel BASTIEN
© CAPSIS International