WORLD champion Lewis Hamilton said he struggled to keep his McLaren on track during today s Spanish Grand Prix. The 24-year-old McLaren driver from Herts did well to finish ninth around the Circuit de Catalunya. Having dropped down to 15th on the first la

WORLD champion Lewis Hamilton said he struggled to keep his McLaren on track during today's Spanish Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old McLaren driver from Herts did well to finish ninth around the Circuit de Catalunya.

Having dropped down to 15th on the first lap, a lengthy first stint saw Tewin's F1 hero slowly work himself back up the order to run as high as sixth before making his first stop on lap 31 to fit another set of options.

Resuming inside the top 10, he struggled with his rear tyres, which prompted an earlier-than-scheduled switch to the prime on lap 49.

Thereafter, he drove well to withstand a late charge from Toyota's Timo Glock to finish just outside the points in ninth.

"Today was a difficult race for me because we lack the downforce of the top cars," said Lewis.

"It was a tough, long race and it was incredibly hard to keep the car on the road.

"It felt like driving on ice at times, especially at the end of the second stint, when the tyres were finished, and in the final stint, when there was very little grip on the prime.

"I gave it 100 per cent for the entire race, so ninth place doesn't feel like the proper reward for the team, who worked hard all weekend."

Jenson Button claimed his fourth race victory of the season for Brawn in Spain.