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LEWIS HAMILTON destroyed Ferrari’s F1 title dreams last season – and Martin Brundle believes he will be too hot to handle again this year.
Ferrari were backed to end Mercedes’ and Hamilton’s post2013 dominance.
But the flawless Brit took advantage of Sebastian Vettel’s woes to secure a fifth championship – his fourth in five years
– and close in on Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles.
It’s a similar story heading into the new season, which gets underway at Australia’s Albert Park in Melbourne this weekend, with Vettel and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen tipped to give Hamilton a run for his money.
But Sky Sports commentator and former F1 driver Brundle (below) feels the 34-year-old Mercedes star will out-smart his rivals in familiar fashion. “Lewis has got that lovely blend of speed, experience, confidence and calmness,” he said.
“He’s still brave enough, he’s still physically strong enough. “There’s a perfect crossover and Lewis is right in the middle of it, and he knows how to pace himself.
“He also tends to come back from the summer break, moves into overdrive and leaves everyone behind. “It’s like a good boxer, you know when to defend, when to attack. Lewis knows that in an F1 car.
“He has learned percentage game. “Sometimes if you’re not going to win you’ve got to make the most of a bad situation. “That’s when the patience comes in, and the confidence.”
Renault’s engine reliability woes hindered Red Bull last year, but, with Honda on board now, Max Verstappen will fight for the title.
The 21-race season closes in Abu Dhabi on to play the Brundle highlights Vettel’s 2018 home race in Germany as a standout moment, which saw the Ferrari racer crash out while leading in wet conditions, allowing Hamilton to triumph.
Vettel won only once in 10 races after that, while his Mercedes rival failed to win only three of the remaining races.
“If you lose a few points, the car breaks down or someone runs into you, it’s still game on for him,’’ added Brundle. “Whereas a lot of people’s heads would drop.
“If you think about it, as soon as Vettel hit the wall in Germany, his head dropped and he was nowhere thereafter.
“Lewis has just got the mental and physical stamina to drive the whole season flat out.” Sky Sports F1 is The Home of Live and Exclusive F1 for the 2019 season. To sign up, visit sky. com BODYWORK SHAKE-UP Aerodynamic rule changes mean simpler front and rear wings, as well as smaller barge boards along the side of the cars – alterations all