McLaren-Mercedes eyeing win at Indian GP
October 28th, 2011 - 12:36 am ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button said Thursday they want to win the inaugural Indian Grand Prix so that they can make a strong start next season.
With three races left, Red Bull have already assured themselves of the championship title as they have 558 points while second placed McLaren Mercedes have 418 points.
The British drivers, both former World Champions, said they want to make the most of the last three races and hope to make a strong start in 2012.
“Red Bull has already won the championship this year but we were pretty close to them. We would be looking at winning the last couple of races so that in the next season we can have a good base,” said Hamilton.
“We are working very hard and always pushing ourselves. We are the second best team in the last two years. I hope we would be able do well in the last few races. We are looking to win here as well,” he added.
Button said it was important for McLaren-Mercedes to finish the season on a high.
“There is no reason why we can’t take the fight to Red Bull. We’ve matched them at the last few races and I hope that trend continues until the end of the year. Although the world titles are settled, we’re incredibly motivated to win every race and if you win a Grand Prix in F1, you know you’ve done a great job. That’s what we’re aiming for in India,” said Button.
Hamilton, a 2008 World Champion, said he was quite surprised with the hype around the inaugural Formula One race in the country.
“Cricket is the most popular sport in this country as the team has done well but I don’t think we ever expected there to be such a great following from Formula One fans, and now I am sure that even F1 will achieve that kind of a popularity,” Hamilton said.
Button said the presence of Force India and Narain Karthikeyan, who will be driving for Hispania, should attract fans.
“Formula One has been a hit in some venues where there is no local connection. But here we have Force India and Narain Karthikeyan and I think these two local connections are enough to popularise the sport,” he said.
- Hamilton eyes victories in Abu Dhabi, Brazil - Nov 06, 2011
- Chinese GP: Rosberg takes maiden F1 pole, Force India out of top-10 - Apr 14, 2012
- Untouchable Vettel wins Indian GP - Oct 30, 2011
- Alonso wins dramatic Malaysian GP, Force India in top-10 - Mar 25, 2012
- Hamilton's title write-off just before start of F1 season - Mar 10, 2011
- Red Bull's Vettel takes pole for F1 season-opening Australian Grand Prix - Mar 26, 2011
- Vettel wins a near perfect race, Sutil finishes ninth (Roundup) - Oct 30, 2011
- McLaren boss says don't write team off - Mar 11, 2011
- Hamilton bags pole in Australia - Mar 17, 2012
- Rosberg wins maiden F1 race in China, Force India draw blank - Apr 15, 2012
- Vettel edges Hamilton for Malaysian Grand Prix pole - Apr 09, 2011
- Vettel wins Bahrain GP, Force India's Di Resta finishes sixth - Apr 23, 2012
- Button wins Australian GP, Force India's Di Resta gets a point - Mar 18, 2012
- Sentimental backing for Force India, 'Dream come true' for Karthikeyan (Preview) - Oct 27, 2011
- Vettel takes pole, di Resta 10th in Bahrain - Apr 21, 2012
Tags: british drivers, connecti, cricket, f1, force india, formula one, grand prix, hype, jenson button, lewis hamilton, narain karthikeyan, New Delhi, popular sport, popularity, red bull, vodafone, vodafone mclaren mercedes, world champion, world champions, world titles