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Lewis Hamilton in McLaren's new F1 car - Source: Getty Images -
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Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton smashed Shane Warne for six on Friday and then batted away speculation about his future at McLaren.
Australian Warne, widely regarded as cricket's greatest leg-spinner, treated Hamilton to the softest of deliveries at a sponsor event before the Briton headed for more serious business at the nearby Albert Park circuit.
British newspapers had run headlines overnight suggesting that the 24-year-old, who has said previously that he would be happy to see out his career at McLaren, might be open to a move elsewhere.
Hamilton, whose team are battling to get their car up to speed before Sunday's Australian season-opener, said there was nothing in the reports.
"I am happy where I am, you can take it how you want," he said.
"It doesn't really have any grounds. What I said was that I think it is quite cool if you find out that other teams are interested in you. It's good to know that you are wanted.
"I honestly want to see out my career at McLaren," he continued. "I am happy where I am and I do feel it is my family."
Ferrari's Felipe Massa, who lost out by a single point to Hamilton last season, also poured scorn on suggestions Hamilton might be in Ferrari's sights as his replacement.
"I drove alongside (seven-times champion Michael (Schumacher), I drove alongside Kimi (Raikkonen)," he said. "I heard for many years already that Fernando (Alonso) will come, so he (Hamilton) is just another one, so I don't care.
"(MotoGP world champion) Valentino Rossi as well. Maybe my father will drive for Ferrari next year as well, I don't know."
Work in progress
If Warne presented Hamilton with every chance to score quick runs,
the Briton recognised that Australia would be far less generous on
Sunday.
The Briton won in Melbourne last year but his team have been well off the pace in testing. He described his car as a "work in progress".
"I think if we think optimistically then we can get a point," he said. "But I don't think so, somehow.
"We have to stay positive and anything can happen and we can get some points - last year only seven cars finished the race so anything is possible. But in terms of true pace at the moment I don't think we are quick enough."
The new Brawn GP team (formerly Honda), Ferrari and BMW-Sauber have all been quicker in pre-season testing while Toyota, Renault and Williams have not been far behind the pace-setters.
Hamilton said his Mercedes-powered car felt good to drive but was lacking in grip, preventing the driver from carrying enough speed through the corners.
"The fact is that we are a strong team, we've been through serious ups and downs over the last two years since I've been here," said Hamilton.
"And there is nothing we can't fix and nothing we can't conquer.
"We will keep our heads high, and there will possibly be some bad results as there are every year, and we just have to make sure that when the car is right that we maximise and score really good points."
