Hamilton confident of winning start

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Hamilton finished an impressive third in his first Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne 12 months ago but it was an audacious overtaking move around the outside of then defending champion and McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso in the first corner that really caught the eye.

"I feel we have a better opportunity this weekend than we did last year at this time," he said.

"Going into this weekend I feel even more positive."

The departure of Alonso to Renault has seen Hamilton take more of a leading role regarding the development of the 2008 McLaren and he has relished the extra responsibility.

"We've been working very, very hard through winter making sure the training's even better but also preparing the car," he added.

"Seeing a new car evolve, seeing the evolution of last year's car, and seeing the input by me and Heikki and Pedro (de la Rosa) and Gary (Paffett), and seeing how we can help push the team forward I think is really special, it's a great experience."

Hamilton also revealed victory at the Canadian Grand Prix was his personal highlight of an impressive 2007 after the McLaren driver admitted he did not even expect to win a race.

"Of course the first race here in Melbourne was probably one of the best because I didn't know what to expect and nobody else knew what to expect," he said.

"But getting my first win, I never really expected to get a win in my first year."