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Hamilton scoffs at talks over McLaren future

FORMULA One world champion Lewis Hamilton smashed Shane Warne for six yesterday and then batted away speculation about his future at McLaren.

Australian Warne, widely regarded as cricket's greatest leg-spinner, treated Hamilton to the softest of deliveries at a sponsor event before the Briton headed for more serious business at the nearby Albert Park circuit in Melbourne.

British newspapers had run headlines overnight suggesting that the 24-year-old, who has said previously that he would be happy to see out his career at McLaren, might be open to a move elsewhere.

Hamilton, whose team is battling to get its car up to speed before Sunday's Australian season-opener, said there was nothing in the reports.

"I am happy where I am, you can take it how you want," he said. "It doesn't really have any grounds. What I said was that I think it is quite cool if you find out that other teams are interested in you. It's good to know that you are wanted.

"I honestly want to see out my career at McLaren," he continued. "I am happy where I am and I do feel it is my family."

Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who lost out by a single point to Hamilton last season, also poured scorn on suggestions Hamilton might be in Ferrari's sights as his replacement.

"I drove alongside (seven-time champion) Michael (Schumacher), I drove alongside Kimi (Raikkonen)," he said. "I heard for many years already that Fernando (Alonso) will come, so he (Hamilton) is just another one, so I don't care.

"(MotoGP world champion) Valentino Rossi as well. Maybe my father will drive for Ferrari next year as well, I don't know."

If Warne presented Hamilton with every chance to score quick runs, the Briton recognized that Australia would be far less generous on Sunday.

He won in Melbourne last year but his team has been well off the pace in testing. Hamilton described his car as a "work in progress".

"I think if we think optimistically then we can get a point," he said. "But I don't think so, somehow."

The new Brawn GP team (formerly Honda), Ferrari and BMW-Sauber have all been quicker in preseason testing while Toyota, Renault and Williams have not been far behind the pace-setters.

Hamilton also revealed that he has finally joined the Grand Prix Drivers' Association.

The 24-year-old had resisted joining what amounts to the drivers' union in his first two seasons in the sport but said yesterday that he had relented.

The GPDA represents the drivers in talks with the governing International Automobile Federation concerning safety and other issues.





 

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