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Hamilton preaches equal rights
2:07pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
Lewis Hamilton is determined to achieve his aim of winning the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks time, but is not expecting any preferential treatment from his McLaren team.
Hamilton came within a whisker of victory last season, only to lose out to then team-mate Fernando Alonso after a team orders rumpus that sparked the feud between the duo.
Although the 23-year-old was undoubtedly quicker than Alonso in the second half of the race, and was itching to pass, he was told to hold station in second.
It was a decision that rankled with Hamilton at the time.
Heading into the Principality showdown, Hamilton has a clear 14-point advantage over current team-mate Heikki Kovalainen.
The Finn has unfortunately failed to finish in the points in the last two races, and is already questioning his title challenge.
Although Hamilton is only seven points behind current leader Kimi Raikkonen, he feels it would be unfair if the team opted to favour him over Kovalainen at what is still an early stage of the season.
"He is an extremely talented driver, and I heard he had a fantastic race in Turkey," remarked Hamilton of Kovalainen, who finished 12th in Istanbul following a first-lap puncture.
"He was just unfortunate, but I have no doubts he will be up at the front next time out.
"Felipe Massa had a couple of bad races (for Ferrari) and has bounced back.
"We are a team and I felt sorry for him (Kovalainen) that he was not able to compete in Turkey.
"If I am not winning then I wish he was and it is the same feeling vice-versa, so I want it to continue as it is, fair and square.
"It would not be right for the team to push me ahead of him."
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