LEW WANTS A FIGHT
Seb to step up
LEWIS HAMILTON is relishing the chance of beating Sebastian Vettel in a fair fight for the world title.
Hamilton was left trailing in Vettel’s wake during the German’s glory years, when former team Red Bull handed him an all-conquering car that powered him to four drivers’ championships.
In the past three seasons, Vettel has had to watch Hamilton’s Mercedes disappear over the horizon, the Brit taking his title tally to three while duelling with Nico Rosberg.
But with Rosberg having bowed out as champ last season and Ferrari hopeful they have handed Vettel a car to match Mercedes, the scene is set for Hamilton to go wheel to wheel in the title race.
Ahead of Sunday’s season opener in Melbourne, Hamilton said: “I’ve not had a lot of battles with Sebastian on track, so, of course, I would love to have that.
“I see Ferrari being the quickest at the moment and I think they will definitely be ® from JAMES MURRAY the favourites. Sebastian is usually a lot more hyped and I can tell he’s trying to keep a lid on it. But their pace was obviously great in testing.”
Ferrari seem to have got to grips with regulation changes that will see cars lapping around five seconds quicker.
But after just three wins in two seasons with the Italian giants, Vettel was keen to play down Ferrari’s pace.
Victorious
He said: “Mercedes obviously has been in very, very strong form the last three years.
“It’s very clear who is the favourite. For all of us sitting here, we are trying our best to catch up. How much we have succeeded, we will see.”
Today’s practice session should go some way to answering that question and Hamilton is hoping it’s not only Ferrari who have got their act together.
He said: “The more of a fight you have, the more satisfying it is when you are victorious. So we’re fully up for a fight.”