Hamilton not missing Rosberg as Briton looks to regain his crown
● German world champion’s sudden retiral means fresh start for Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he will not miss Nico Rosberg and has drawn a line under last season’s championship defeat to his long-term rival.
Hamilton is embarking on a new era at Mercedes following Rosberg’s shock decision to retire from Formula One just five days after he clinched the title.
Teaming up with Hamilton, 32, will be Valtteri Bottas – the Finnish driver who has joined from Williams – but he is untested at the highest level.
The pair joined forces at a wet and windy Silverstone to take the wraps off the Mercedes car they hope will continue to be the dominant force in the sport.
The unveiling marked a fresh start for both Hamilton and his Mercedes team. The Briton’s relationship with Rosberg deteriorated so dramatically in the three years they fought for the title they were barely on speaking terms when the German announced his retirement.
“I don’t think I have ever missed a team-mate in my life because there is always one that takes his place,” said Hamilton as he reflected on Rosberg’s departure. “It definitely will feel strange, and it already is, but you soon get past it. One day I will leave and another 0 Lewis Hamilton is embarking on a new era at Mercedes. driver will come along. You don’t forget, but get used to what you have. Right now my feelings from last year are not lingering. I have started a new slate and moved on. The experience of last year has helped me strengthen. “I feel like I am the best prepared I have ever been. I didn’t win the world championship last year and I want to change that.”
Hamilton won more races than Rosberg last season and rounded out the year with four consecutive victories, but his championship defence was blighted by a number of mechanical issues.
Rosberg ended his longrunning losing streak to Hamilton by virtue of following his team-mate home at the intense and controversial title decider in Abu Dhabi last November.
“It has been a long, hard slog for him,” Hamilton added. “He finally got it and maybe he wanted to keep it just as it is and not risk retiring at the end of this year not being in the same position. I don’t think like that. I win the championship and I want to fight for it again.
“Every now and then I have a thought of what I will do after Formula One. Then I see that car and I am like, ‘I think I am going to stay’. I don’t know how long I will stay, but I am still competitive, still hungry and still driving at my best.”
The new Mercedes, which both Hamilton and Bottas sampled at Silverstone, is wider, lower and heavier to reflect the change in technical regulations over the winter.
Mercedes, who have won 51 of the last 59 races, will start the season expected to continue their dominance. Bottas therefore must be viewed as Hamilton’s closest rival for the title.
“I don’t know Valtteri very well and right now there is no competition between us,” Hamilton added. “When he sees me at my most intense moment and vice-versa it will be an interesting scenario for us. He wants to beat me as much as I want to beat him. I would not expect anything but the best from him. I want him to be at his best.”