Lewis Hamilton has said he believes a top-eight finish in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix will likely prove beyond him. The World Champion was speaking one day ahead of opening practice for 2009's curtain-raiser and in the knowledge that his team, McLaren Mercedes, have so far struggled with their new car. McLaren's MP4-24 has experienced problems with its aerodynamics during winter testing, to the extent that staff are currently working 24/7 in a bid to regain ground lost to rivals.
Although progress has been made, Hamilton has conceded that he will probably be an also-ran come Sunday at a track on which he scored victory 12 months ago.
