Whilst BMW-Sauber may have stolen some of rival McLaren-Mercedes' thunder during the opening part of the 2008
Formula 1 campaign,
Lewis Hamilton has claimed the Munich-based squad's front-running form has actually made his own task ‘more fun'.
Indeed,
BMW's step forward over the winter months has been such that it currently leads the constructors' world standings – with
Nick Heidfeld ahead of both Hamilton and team-mate
Heikki Kovalainen in the drivers' title chase – and, even more against predictions, has seemingly displaced McLaren as the sport's second force.
“Going into the season we thought it would be McLaren and
Ferrari,” the 23-year-old reflected, speaking to the
Daily Telegraph, “but BMW are up there and everybody else has made a step. Having another challenger is actually more fun.”
Something that undoubtedly isn't more fun is the extra media glare the young Briton is finding himself under this year. Having come so agonisingly close to lifting the drivers' laurels at his maiden attempt in 2007 – an extraordinary debut season when all he touched seemed to turn to gold – the expectation is that Hamilton
will win the title second time around. Not that he feels under any additional pressure, he insists.
“Pressure?” he questioned. “I put that on myself. Things are slightly different from last year – then people weren't expecting anything from me. This year they are, but it doesn't make any difference to me. It's a positive development.”
As to his and
McLaren's chances in this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix – the first event of
F1's mid-season, 20-week European leg – the former GP2 Champion remained bullish, despite the Woking-based concern enduring a less-than perfect Friday practice preparation [see separate story –
click here].
