MONACO, (Reuters) – Monaco worked its magic on Lewis Hamilton yesterday with the world champion declaring himself back in love with Formula One after a troubled start to the season.

“I’ve really enjoyed today,” the McLaren driver told reporters after clocking the second fastest time of the day in two practice sessions for Sunday’s race around the Mediterranean principality.

“It has reminded me of how much I love the sport, how much I love the driving. It’s really driving, kind of back-to-your roots street racing. It’s fantastic,” added the 24-year-old Briton.

Hamilton, Formula One’s youngest world champion, has suffered a tortured start to his title defence with his performances in an under-performing car overshadowed by a lying controversy.

The Briton has had a tense relationship with his national media since he and the team were excluded from the season-opener in Australia for deliberately misleading race stewards.

After making a painful and high-profile public apology at the second race in Malaysia, he has come across at times as terse and distant while his points tally from five races stands at just nine.

Championship-leading compatriot Jenson Button has 41 for Brawn GP.

FAVOURITE CIRCUIT
The clouds appeared to have lifted yesterday, however, with Hamilton revelling in the return to his favourite circuit where he won last year and finished second in his stunning 2007 rookie season.

“It feels fantastic to be here. I get a huge buzz here, the circuit is fantastic, so I am really enjoying myself,” he said.

“It’s definitely exciting to be back again. We didn’t really know what to expect, but after this morning and afternoon we genuinely do have quite good pace.”

Monaco, with its blind corners and tight racing line threading between the unforgiving metal barriers, is the slowest circuit on the calendar but one where the driver can make all the difference.

The late Brazilian Ayrton Senna, Hamilton’s boyhood hero, won there five years running and six times in total.

“It gives me a much better fighting chance, and a much better feeling, to be able go out there and to see if I can do better than others and get more out of my car,” said Hamilton.

“I think everyone is beatable. Anyone can do a quick lap over one single lap, but it’s how you do it over a period of time. We definitely look much more competitive this weekend.”