Hamilton - I can win title

Lewis Hamilton believes he is definitely in the hunt for this year's Formula One world title after coming to terms with the fact there will be bad days as well as good.

In Hamilton's eyes, his performance in Sunday's Australian Grand Prix was "a bad day" as the 27-year-old had to settle for third after starting from pole.

Although McLaren team-mate Jenson Button took the chequered flag for the 13th win of his career, Hamilton said: "If this is a bad day for me then I definitely can't complain."

Indeed he should not, because he knows McLaren have given him a car that is undoubtedly quick and appears well balanced, and on that basis is firmly in the reckoning.

"I know this is a car I can definitely challenge for the title with," Hamilton said. "Jenson proved it. He had a fantastic race and it's definitely a good start to the year that both of us finished on the podium and in the points.

"It's still going to be a close season because the Red Bulls are massively quick, and God knows where they came from on Sunday.

"We're still going to be able to attack, but for us to start at the front is a pretty good way forward.

"As for me, I definitely do feel as though I've got it in myself to go for the title.

"I feel as ready as ever. I was ready on Sunday, it's just that some things didn't go my way."