Formula One:McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has described Lewis Hamilton's Australian Grand Prix performance as the drive of a world champion. From 18th on the grid, and in a McLaren far removed from the one in which he won the title last year, Hamilton finished a superb third, although that position remains the subject of an appeal.
That is because Toyota's Jarno Trulli was adjudged by stewards to have passed Hamilton under yellow flags following an accident late on involving Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica.
Even if the appeal is upheld, there can be no doubt Hamilton was at his supreme best around Melbourne's Albert Park, offering a glimmer of hope to a team who have sadly let him down with the car.
Recognising Hamilton's achievement, Whitmarsh said: "It's pretty tough when you arrive as world champion, yet go into a situation where you know you're not competitive enough.
"We then had the setback of a transmission failure which resulted in Lewis starting from the back of the grid.
"He made a great start, but you have to remember he is unaccustomed from starting at the rear and having to fight his way through like that.
"He is also unaccustomed to pit boards saying 15th, 14th, 13th or whatever, and so knowing he has to continue to push.
"But he also needed massive discipline, and he kept his head and benefited from a fair amount of attrition.
"We expected that, along with some safety cars and for people to struggle on the option (softer) tyre, so we got it right for the circumstances we put ourselves in."
When asked whether it was a drive of a world champion, Whitmarsh replied: "It was exactly that, particularly when Lewis has never been in the situation like he was over the weekend.
"From where we were a few weeks ago in Barcelona, we would have been delighted to have taken any points this weekend, so third place is a pretty good showing.
"The team really rallied, and we've made some progress, but not enough and we've been very open about that.
"We know we have to make a lot more progress because we're not as competitive as anybody expects us to be, or we expect ourselves to be.
"But it's character-building stuff, an opportunity for Lewis to show what a fantastic racing driver he is, and he did just that for the team and for everyone watching."