Hamilton gets first McLaren outing
Hamilton dominated F3 and GP2 classes before making the step up
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Tuesday, 28, Nov 2006 11:01
Britain's newest Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has had his first open test session after being confirmed as Fernando Alonso's team-mate at McLaren for next season.
The 21-year-old GP2 champion finished sixth after overcoming some early engine trouble to give the car an extensive workout in the early stages of development.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa brought home his Ferrari in first position ahead of McLaren's regular test driver Pedro de la Rosa.
But the Hertfordshire youngster was content with his performance as he faces up to the harsh public spotlight he is likely to face in his debut year on the circuit.
"It was a really positive day and I enjoyed every moment of it. To come here knowing that I am the driver for next year meant I could really knuckle down on bonding with the team and my engineer and get on top of the car and up to pace," he said.
Hamilton also brushed off the doubts over his promotion expressed by David Coulthard, one of his predecessors in Ron Dennis' team.
"He is extremely experienced and I have always looked up to him. I think in some ways he could be right. But at the end of the day I have done all I needed to do coming up to F1."