The British youngster, this year's UK Formula Renault champion, finished fifth in the opening race, but was involved in a race two crash that put him out of the event.

"I got a mega start and third into first corner so it was looking really, really good," said Hamilton of race two. "Then I got a slow exit because [Robert] Kubica got a run inside going into San Francisco and basically I was expecting him to back off, but he wasn't having it. You know you can't do two together, especially the speed we were going, so basically I back off to let him go. But he didn't, he went straight off and straight into the wall.

"I tried to avoid it but [Richard] Antinucci came past very fast and I was trying to stay in the middle, away from the both, and Antinucci clipped me and broke the front tracking rod and then he spun around and his front wing came off. I was just caught out by someone else's mistake. It was a shame but I think we have proved ourselves, coming from 18th to fifth in the first race and third into first corner, we would definitely have had a podium finish if it wasn't for that. But it happens."

Hamilton says his pace bodes well for his maiden F3 assault next year.

"You learn every time you go out, this is only my second F3 race, and to come here to one of the hardest races of the year and to nearly be in the top three is mega," he added. "I haven't had a team-mate to compare my data with, it has been difficult, and a lot of take in with the minimum time. I was just getting into the right frame of mind and getting on with it. I think we will be right on it next year, we will definitely be right in the running for the win."