McLaren's rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton has revealed it would have been too soon for him to make his Formula 1 race debut in this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.
The newly-crowned GP2 Series champion was hotly-tipped to take over the second seat from Spanish veteran Pedro de la Rosa for the F1 finale, but in an interview with the Daily Mail, the 21-year-old Briton admitted that he needs more time to acclimatise to F1 before entering the fray.
"To be honest, a total of four [test] days in the car is not ideal preparation to compete against Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher or Kimi Raikkonen," he said.
McLaren announced its Sao Paulo line-up of Kimi Raikkonen and de la Rosa after completing a two-day test in Jerez last week.
And while Hamilton impressed at the Spanish track setting the second fastest time, behind Michael Schumacher, he was cautious not to blow his hard-earned reputation on haste..
"I do feel I am ready," he said.
"But Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport, not something you just jump in and do.
"I've had a fantastic season, but I could have gone there (to Brazil) and experienced a disaster.
"It could have rained and I've never been out in the wet in a Formula 1 car."
Hamilton re-iterated the support he receives from McLaren team bosses Ron Dennis and Martin Whitmarsh, who have yet to decide whether to partner Lewis alongside Alonso in 2007, adding that there is no rush over his career path.
"It's my dream, and I'm at the right point of my life to do that," he said.
"But I have been taught that patience is a virtue. I think I should gain plenty of mileage over the winter testing and learn as much as I can.
"I have to learn the mechanics of the car, and get to know the team, to really bond with them.
"The trust I have in Ron and Martin, and in McLaren-Mercedes, goes some way beyond anything else.
"They have guided me all the way."
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