Reuters
Melbourne, March 16: Lewis Hamilton spent the off-season crisscrossing the globe to party with A-list celebrities but Formula One’s (F1) reigning champion is adamant there will be no hangover when he returns to work at this week’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The event starts here Friday.
The clear bookmakers’ favourite to win a third successive title with Mercedes, the Brit will arrive here Thursday after a whirlwind trip to New Zealand where he took to the skies in a helicopter Wednesday above the mountain resort of Queenstown.
Hamilton’s frequent flying and party lifestyle has prompted some pundits to voice concerns about his focus and energy levels in the lead-up to Sunday’s race at Albert Park.
However, the 31-year-old stated Wednesday that his competitive drive remains as sharp as ever and his feet will be firmly on the ground once he enters the paddock.
“I know there’s still more to come from me – I think I’ve shown that in the past two years,” Hamilton, winner in Australia last year and in 2008, said. “There certainly needs to be some extra in my tank, as the competition will be stronger than ever this year. I think I have it.”
Another win in Melbourne from pole position for the Briton could add more voices to the growing weariness of the Silver Arrows’ dominance.
The constructors’ champions are bullish about their car after near-flawless pre-season testing, however, and teammate Nico Rosberg may again loom as Hamilton’s stiffest competition here.
After Hamilton wrapped up his third title in Texas last year, Rosberg closed out the season with three successive wins, and at Albert Park he will hope to prove the late flourish owed more to his racing than a dip in his teammate’s motivation.
