Lewis Hamilton is determined to do what he does best this weekend - flying around a race track rather than flying through the air.

As part of a public relations event for McLaren's main sponsors Vodafone, Hamilton yesterday took part in a re-enactment of Troy.

Hamilton was cast in the role of Apollo, and wearing his sponsor-clad race overalls, the 23-year-old 'flew' through the air aided by wires to bring peace to the warring factions.

As photographs have since shown, whilst the publicity was clearly good for the mobile telecommunications giants, it perhaps looked a touch farcical on Hamilton's part.

There are likely to be observers who would perhaps question such an exercise just three days before a grand prix.

After all you could hardly imagine the like of Tiger Woods doing something similar on the eve of one of golf's majors.

Perhaps realising the error of his ways ahead of Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix, Hamilton remarked: "Let's forget about the theatre!

"It's better for me to be in the car. That's what I do best."

In response, a Vodafone spokesperson stated Hamilton was more than happy to partake in the event.

"We always look for unique ways to raise awareness of the sponsorship," said the spokesperson.

"We look for ideas we know are going to link Vodafone and McLaren Mercedes and are going to appear to our customers.

"Lewis was absolutely thrilled to do Troy, and with very little practice he was able to get in the harness and fly onto the stage in an amazing way.

"He felt that it was very cool and very different, and I think because it was so different, people have a view on the event and we welcome that.

"We do events in order to drive international exposure and offer the drivers a fresh challenge."

Only yesterday Hamilton remarked on how much he misses winning in the wake of a slump since his season-opening victory in Australia.

At least Hamilton felt happy with his day's work behind the wheel following the first two practice sessions for Sunday's 58-lap race at the Istanbul Park circuit.

Hamilton set the fourth fastest time of the day, 0.256secs behind Felipe Massa's best of one minute 27.323secs, with the Brazilian aiming for a third successive victory for Ferrari on this track.

Aside from a spin in the morning session, Hamilton concluded: "The afternoon went quite well, compared to the morning when I wasn't very happy with the car - in fact I wasn't happy at all.

"This afternoon we made some changes and we were quite competitive I think. We were quite close to the Ferraris.

"I had a big oversteer moment on one of my quickest laps, losing two or three tenths (of a second), but it looks like we are going to be quite competitive.

"We're looking good for the race. Things got better and better, and in the last session we improved the car and I feel quite comfortable with the balance I've got now.

"We need to make some more subtle changes for tomorrow and I hope we will be even faster.

"But at least this weekend we seem to be very, very close to them (Ferrari) as we always are, but perhaps here we're even closer than expected.

"That's due to the fact we've done a good job over the last week, understanding where we were losing time.

"I wouldn't say we've particularly gained much time or improved the car, but the balance feels good, so overall I am pleased with our initial pace and consistency."

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