Hill: ‘I am sure Hamilton wants to put things right’

LEWIS Hamilton will re-double his efforts this year to make certain he is not beaten to the Formula One title for a second consecutive season, former champion Damon Hill has said.

Hamilton (32), lost his grand prix crown to bitter rival Nico Rosberg last year despite winning more races than his Mercedes team-mate.

Just five days after Rosberg won the Formula One title in Abu Dhabi, he stunned the sporting world with his decision to retire from the sport as champion.

As such, Hamilton will be partnered by former Williams driver Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes this year — but Hill believes his defeat to Rosberg will make Britain’s triple world champion even hungrier to add to his impressive collection this term.

“Lewis was probably annoyed he did not win it last year,” Hill, the 1996 world champion, said ahead of next Sunday’s season opener in Melbourne. “That was one that got away and I am sure he wants to put that right.

“Nico stopped because of the pressure of competing. He had his guts turned inside out to win the championship last year and there are only so many seasons you can do that.

“If Lewis goes away, lets off steam and does whatever he has to do to keep himself fresh, then possibly that is a good thing.

“Nico had to work so hard. He admitted that. He put in the time and he did actually beat Lewis so maybe that has alerted him. Lewis is a fearsome competitor and I think he will re-double his efforts after last year.”

Hamilton is determined and a winner, facts shown by him defying team orders at the concluding race of last season in his desperate bid to stop Rosberg from winning the title.