Hamilton: Missing pole could be 'a blessing in disguise'

Lewis Hamilton believes starting from second could actually prove an advantage in Sunday's 2014 Formula 1 Shell Belgian Grand Prix.

The Briton lost out to Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg in Saturday's fight for pole, with the German shading the battle by just under a quarter of a second at a wet Spa-Francorchamps.

But while Rosberg will start from the front for the fourth consecutive race, Hamilton insisted he was not too disheartened - citing last year's race, when he started from pole but was picked off on the opening lap, as an example of why second on the grid could prove favourable.

"I'm not disappointed today actually," Hamilton said after qualifying.

"If you look at the previous years, P2 is the best place to start here. I started on pole here last year and Sebastian [Vettel] flew past me down the top straight, so I think it gives you the most opportunity here at the start.

"It may just be a blessing in disguise with the grid slot - I think (starting second) gives you the most opportunity here at the start."

Hamilton, who has not started from pole since Spain in May, admitted previous misfortunes on Saturday had played on his mind before qualifying.

"I'm just happy to be up here. I was nervous going into qualifying, not knowing if the car was going to make it through it," he explained.

"I'm grateful for all the hard work the team put in to make sure we have no problems. It's a great feeling to be back up here."