Lewis picks up pace of high-speed diplomacy

He came face to face with the world's media for the first time since sparking a rumpus over McLaren's race strategy which prevented him from fighting for victory in Monaco a fortnight ago.

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Would he swallow the corporate pill and backtrack? Would he be briefed by some public relations coach to swear blind allegiance to his world champion team-mate Fernando Alonso?

What he gave was a masterclass in striking the right balance. He spoke with genuine enthusiasm about his team but quietly made the point that he won't be doffing his helmet to anyone.

The Rubens Barrichello role is not for him. The Brazilian will be remembered as Michael Schumacher's stooge at Ferrari. It earned him the nickname tortoise' in his native land, where he is regarded as a figure of fun.

Hamilton, preparing for tomorrow's Canadian Grand Prix, said: "I think every weekend when I am matching Fernando's times, if not doing better, I am demonstrating that I've got the ability to be a champion; to deserve at least to be equal with him.

"I'd hate the situation Rubens was in. If that was ever the case, I would not be here much longer."

Fanciful speculation has suggested Ferrari's open cheque book could tempt him to jump cars. Not any time soon. All his attachments, not least a contract, lie at McLaren.

He feels loyalty to his mentor, team chief Ron Dennis, who has nurtured Hamilton's development for a decade, and he is relishing the chance to emulate his boyhood idol Ayrton Senna with the silver arrows.

The 22-year-old Hertfordshire racer was asked how he would press his claims within the team. A wide smile flashed across his face.

"That's a good question," he replied. "I've got to remember the fact that I'm privileged to be part of such a wonderful team. I'd do anything for this team. I've bonded with the guys so well at testing and over the years I've been here.

"I believe I've got a special relationship, just because they've seen me grow up. They want me to win just as much I want to win for them. I don't feel there is a need to get a special message across. They can see I'm doing a good job. I think when I do win they'll be excited.

"Ron wants us both to win but two people can't win. Monaco was just one race when it didn't go in my favour, but in the future there will come a time when it will."

Hamilton feels that Alonso should not always be granted the optimum strategy, as was conspicuously the case in Monte Carlo.

The Spaniard was lighter in qualifying, giving him the best shot at the crucial pole position.

Hamilton said: "I've been quicker in some parts of qualifying than Fernando, but it flips over again at the end of qualifying, obviously. You know what happens."

The British prodigy has finished on the podium in all five races since making his debut in Australia in March. It is history-making stuff, a point acknowledged by Canadian national paper The Globe and Mail, which dedicated five pages to him.

He is joint leader in the drivers' standings, along with Alonso, while McLaren hold a 20-point advantage over Ferrari at the summit of the constructors' championship, but Hamilton is mature enough to know he is in the foothills of his career.

Reflecting on his unguarded postrace analysis in Monaco, he said: "I think it's always a learning experience. Maybe next time I might watch what I say, but I just said what I felt. I'm only human.

"Sometimes your feelings need to be expressed and everybody should know how you feel. You can't always just put a big smile on your face.

"This is only my sixth grand prix and I'm going to approach it like I do at every race. That is to win. It's going to be tough. I've never been here before. I'm going to have to stay cautious in practice but in the race I'm going to be gunning for it as always."

The Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa are sure to pose a tough examination around the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, although the McLarens set the pace in yesterday's opening practice session.

Unfortunately for Hamilton, Alonso was top of the charts.