Hamilton: I'm happy at McLaren

Lewis Hamilton has quashed speculation he is unhappy at McLaren and claimed the embattled team took a positive step during Friday's practice for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old's future at McLaren has been in doubt since the lying controversy from the Australian Grand Prix coupled with the team's indifferent start to the season.

Hamilton served a reminder of his abilities in the first session of practice as he topped the timesheets and said: "I'm contracted to the team and I'm happy where I am. I am here to race and I have to focus on my job. This was a slight step forward but we still have a lot more to do."

Following the FIA's International Court of Appeal's decision on Wednesday to declare the controversial 'double-decker' diffuser legal, McLaren employed a revised diffuser on Hamilton's car and it certainly showed an improved performance.

It has certainly been an eventful few weeks at McLaren, who on Thursday underwent a management reshuffle after chief executive Ron Dennis announced his decision to step away from all Formula One activities.

Dennis mentored Hamilton from his karting days as a young teenager right up to him securing the world championship last season.

"I wasn't disappointed, I was surprised," he said of Dennis' decision to leave. "I hadn't heard about it, I was just as surprised as the rest of the team.

"Ron has been a huge force and support in my life and still plays a key role in my life.

"You guys have been writing about it for years. As soon as he gets to a certain stage he was going to move aside and he decided to do it now."