Reigning Formula 1 world champion, British Lewis Hamilton, is confident in his chances of winning a sixth world title, ensuring that he is “stronger and fitter than ever”.
“I feel stronger and fitter than ever, I hope that will show in the way I drive,” said Hamilton at the Montmeló circuit.
The Mercedes driver, however, is cautious about the possibility of claiming a sixth world title and also a sixth consecutive success in the Constructors’ World Championship for Mercedes.
“That figure should not be our goal. (Six consecutive constructors’ titles) has never been achieved and we want to do new things, but we are very aware of the necessary work and we do not take it lightly, “he said on the third day of official preseason tests on the circuit of Montmeló.
“For me is the same. I don’t think about it (a sixth title). It’s a new season and you have to face it as if it were the first, “he said, although he admitted that” if a team can face this challenge, I believe with all my heart that they are my people.
– Ferrari and Red Bull –
Asked if the only rival of Mercedes is Ferrari or also it is necessary to look towards Red Bull with the new Honda engine, Hamilton did not hesitate to affirm that “I am in competition with everyone.”
I don’t know who will be the fastest. I also hope that other teams will join the fight, but who knows what each one will bring to the next race ”on March 17 in Australia, he said.
“For now we are fighting against ourselves to improve in all areas,” said Hamilton, who is not concerned after his Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel claimed to have got off to a good start in these preseason tests.
«For now I am not worrying about anything. I focus on our work. We do not know what the others do, the parts, the amounts of fuel they load … “, he said, before adding that” what we have to ensure is that our procedures, our data analysis and my guidance for the team are better than never”.
“It is impossible to quantify it, but Ferrari is doing very well at the moment. They have ridden a lot too, so they probably have an even better car than last year, which means that the challenge will be even more demanding, ”he concluded. AFP