WORLD champion Lewis Hamilton insists he has not let events off the track distract him from the task of reviving his season at this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

The 24-year-old was disqualified from the Australian Grand Prix and forced to apologise for misleading race stewards, while Jenson Button has been flying the flag for Britain with two wins from two in his Brawn GP.

Hamilton enjoyed some respite today by going fastest in the first session of free practice with his McLaren car sporting a new front wing and a revised diffuser.

Ron Dennis cut all ties with Formula One yesterday, bringing an end to a 28-year reign at McLaren, while the team have also been called before the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on April 29 to answer charges of bringing Formula One into disrepute following the controversy in Australia.

But Hamilton stressed he has not let the events off the circuit affect his concentration on producing an improved performance at the Shanghai International Circuit this weekend.

When asked whether he finds it difficult to focus with such events going on he said: "No. That has nothing to do with me. I am here to race and I have to focus on my job. What the team decides is up to them."

Hamilton's hopes of a good weekend were given a timely boost as he dominated the first practice session.

He was unable to replicate that in the afternoon as he finished 13th, while Button topped the timesheets as he looks to secure his third successive victory.

But Hamilton believes his performance was a step in the right direction as he hopes to stage a successful defence of the world championship.

"There is no new start for me, we are continually working on improving, it just takes a long time," he added.

"The guys are enthusiastic and determined to get back to the top. We all put it together to do the best we can. Today was a slight step forward but we still have a lot more to do."