Although disappointed not to have taken victory so far in 2012,
Lewis Hamilton admits that he more aware of the importance of consistency as he prepares for the third round of the new season in China next weekend.
Hamilton secured pole for the season opener in Australia but could only manage third in the race, a result that was then repeated last time out in Malaysia.
It means the
McLaren driver heads to Shanghai sitting second to
Fernando Alonso in the standings but he said he was sure that a first win of the season isn't far away.
“I won't deny that I'm disappointed to have had two pole positions and not to have been able to convert either of them into victories, but I prefer to think of it that luck just hasn't been on my side, and that it will swing my way sooner or later,” he said. “I also think last year taught me the value of consistency: it's no use chasing a great result if you can't back it up with another strong finish the following week. So maybe I'm just playing myself in gently: after all, in 2007, I didn't win a race until the sixth round, and I was in the hunt for the title all through the year.
“I still don't think the pecking order has settled down yet, so it's important to get some good results in the bag while we can. It will be very interesting to see how the order has shaken itself out over the last three weeks – it's going to be an interesting weekend.”
Hamilton added that, while he wants to win every time out, he was now more aware of the importance of scoring strong points in every round.
“I'm looking at the championship as a whole – although, of course, I'd love to win every race, it's more important to be in a good points-scoring position at every race,” he said. “I think the first two races have shown that, as a team, we're definitely in positions to win.
“I think Malaysia was a good example of how to pick up points when you're looking at the championship – and that was something I really took away as a positive from that race. But yeah, I'll be heading to China looking to win – but it's just as important to pick up some good points if, for whatever reason, a win isn't on the cards.”