Whitmarsh still praising Hamilton

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh has again been left thanking his lucky stars he has Lewis Hamilton on his side.

Hamilton may have finished a lap down on race winner Jenson Button, but that was harsh on the world champion and his efforts in a woeful McLaren did not go unnoticed.

"I always said it would be our worst race, and I truly believe and hope it is the case," remarked Whitmarsh. "But I think there are positives to take out of it. We have come a long way from where we were eight weeks ago and the other positive is look at Lewis."

He added: "What a fighter and what a great drive from him. The fact he never gave up demonstrates just what a competitive individual he is.

"He's always been in a winning car, he's not at the moment, and yet he's doing a fantastic job."

Whitmarsh is confident that at Monaco in 13 days' time, McLaren and Hamilton will prove the race in Barcelona was a blip on an upward curve following a disastrous start to the year.

"Monaco is going to be different and we are going to be stronger there, of that I'm confident," insisted Whitmarsh.

"It's a circuit that will suit us and we've great drivers – Lewis is mega there – so we just have to make sure we keep pushing and developing the car.

"We still have a load of work. It's not going to be magic, and I'd love to have that eureka moment, but you just have to grind away."