Our chances are good, McLaren ace contends, but not good enough.

Lewis Hamilton has painted a bleak picture of his prospects in today's Spanish Grand Prix, suggesting that should championship arch-rival Kimi Raikkonen arrive at the first corner in front, that may be the last his pursuers see of him all afternoon.

As if it wasn't bad enough seeing the Finn steal away his lead in the world drivers' standings following his own abject performance in Bahrain three weeks ago, Hamilton then had to watch as the reigning title-winner stormed to pole position in qualifying around the Circuit de Catalunya, a mere three tenths of a second - but crucially two rows on the grid - ahead of the British McLaren-Mercedes star.

What's more, in every one of the last seven years, the pole-sitter in Barcelona has gone on to triumph in the Spanish Grand Prix. Only once since 1997 has a driver not starting from the top spot taken the chequered flag first, and never since the race was introduced onto the F1 calendar back in 1991 has it been won by someone beginning as far back as fifth on the grid.

"It makes it very, very difficult," Hamilton confessed, speaking to the Daily Telegraph. "We don't know what strategy the guys in front have got, but if Kimi gets to the first corner first he's most likely to pull away and that's him done for the race.

"I feel confident we have a good strategy, though, and our long-run pace will be good. We have a shot at the podium."