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.

'I haven't had offers from other teams and I am not talking to anyone. But I would listen to an offer from another team if someone asked me,' Hamilton, 24, said on Wednesday.

'It would be a great compliment and it would be silly if I did not.'

He is into the second year of a five-year contract, but, until Wednesday, he had insisted that he would be happy to spend his career with the British team.

Yesterday, he tried to play down his comments but left the door open to more speculation.

'I'm happy where I am,' he said.

'The talk (of me leaving McLaren) doesn't really have any grounds. All I said was that it's quite cool if you find out other teams are interested in you.

'It's good to know you are wanted.'

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