"Crucial phases of the race where he lost out were a consequence of tyre consumption that he had done in qualifying. So a great spectacle, I think, and a job for us to manage it well."
The implied criticism of Hamilton is significant in that it is an aspect of his race craft which he has worked hard to improve. The 26 year-old admits that he used to wear his tyres out too fast at hotter, high-wearing tracks such as Istanbul Park in Turkey.
However, last year, when the famously smooth Jenson Button was signed by McLaren to be his team-mate, Hamilton claimed those days were behind him and that he was now as good as anyone at making his tyres last. On last week's evidence, Lowe clearly felt that Hamilton needed another gentle reminder.
In an honest appraisal of the year thus far, Lowe admitted that McLaren's pre-season ambitions had "exceeded our ability to deliver"; that his technical team had been too innovative with the design of the MP4-26.
However, an 11th hour overhaul of the car's entire floor and exhaust system has seen the Woking team emerge as the leading challenger for Red Bull. And while world champion Sebastian Vettel has won the first two grands prix at a canter, and topped both yesterday's practice sessions, Lowe insisted they were not miles ahead.
"I certainly don't think Red Bull are cruising," he said. "I think they're feeling the pressure. We saw that in qualifying, in particular, in Malaysia."
Meanwhile, Sauber have asked the sport's governing body, the FIA, to look in to the accident last week in which a piece of debris penetrated the cockpit of their Mexican rookie, Sergio Perez.
Perez was fortunate to escape unhurt after the unidentified object pierced the chassis and was only halted by the newly relocated Electronic Control Unit box, which took the brunt of the impact.
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