MELBOURNE: - Lewis Hamilton's disenchantment with the performance of his McLaren-Mercedes in the build-up to the new Formula One season is such that he may consider switching teams.

The McLarens have been so far off the pace that there are some who think the world champion may fail to make the top 10 in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Hamilton's frustration appeared to be reflected when he said publicly for the first time that he could leave the team he joined in 1998 as a 13-year-old.

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