Lewis Hamilton believes he can be McLaren's "leader" next season as he bids to bounce back from a year which saw the team dogged by controversy.

 

Hamilton's rivalry -- and professional relationship -- with team-mate Fernando Alonso dominated the season on the track while McLaren's involvement in the 'spygate' scandal also gained some unwanted attention off it.

 

But while he concedes that last season had low points he is enthusiastic about building on what he still considers to be dream rookie campaign in Formula One.

 

And with Heikki Kovalainen joining McLaren in place of the departed Alonso, he also believes he could become the team's number one driver -- a policy they actively distanced themselves from this year.

 

He told BBC News 24: "Politics-wise it (2007) was a disaster but that is the business, there is nothing you can do about it.

 

"You won't see a season quite like it again but I hope next season is just as exciting without the politics.

 

"For me it's great, I'm almost seen as the leader of the team and hopefully I can do the job."

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2007)