McLAREN Formula One racing team boss Ron Dennis believes the outcome of the Japanese Grand Prix could have been worse despite Lewis Hamilton seeing his world drivers' championship lead cut with just two races remaining.
The Briton failed to finish in the points on Sunday after starting on pole – a tussle with title rival Felipe Massa on the second lap resulted in a spin from which he never adequately recovered.
Massa had started fifth before claiming seventh pla
ce to collect two points and close the gap between himself and Hamilton to five points.
Next weekend's Chinese Grand Prix will bring back bad memories for Hamilton after the 23-year-old crashed out in Shanghai last year, while Massa will be seen as favourite in his home race in Brazil.
But Dennis is confident the team and Hamilton will recover from Sunday's setback.
"All in all, as far as the championship is concerned, I guess things could have been worse," he said. "But there is no getting away from the fact it was a disappointing weekend.
"However, Lewis is still five points clear in the drivers' championship with two races to go. I know that our whole team will dig deep from here on in.
"The fact is he (Hamilton] is a great driver, we will fight for the world championship but sometimes it is a bit of an uphill struggle."
Aside from colliding with Hamilton, Massa was involved in another incident on the Fuji Speedway circuit. The Brazilian was sent spinning by Sebastien Bourdais as the latter rejoined the race from the pit lane.
The full article contains 274 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
