Hamilton eyes 5th world c’ship title next season

KUALA LUMPUR: Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton aims for a fifth world championship title next season with the Mercedes AMG Petronas team.

Hamilton, who secured his fourth title with two races to spare in the just-concluded season, said reliability would be key in 2018 following the introduction of a rule limiting teams to three power units.

“It hasn’t (sunk in yet for winning the fourth world title)...it is just normal not until January. The feeling is just the same like the time I won my karting championship. I guess different people digest it differently.

“But I’m already focused on next year. I’ve already turned my mind to preparing on how I’m going to be better next year,” the 32-year-old told a press conference at Galeri Petronas here yesterday.

Also present was Petronas head of the Brand Management Department, Group Strategic Communications, Noor Afiza Mohd Yusof.

“Reliability is an important element in F1 racing,” Hamilton noted.

“Reliability is a key part in our sport...the engine is the heart of our car and the fluids (fuels) are its blood. I finished every single lap this year because of Petronas and it’s what helped me win this title,” he said.

On the new F1 regulation of having only three instead of four engines next year, Hamilton said it would create pressure for the lubricant provider.

“There will be even more pressure on Petronas to advance their winning formula. It will be a challenge as each engine has to go 9,000 kilometres, which is crazy.

“We’ve already taken leaps and bounds to have our engines so reliable this year but with one engine less next year, it will be a serious matter for all teams,” he said.

Hamilton is expecting the competition to be stiffer with McLaren, which will be shifting to Renault engines next season, and Red Bull among the two teams he believes will be faster.

Earlier before the press conference, Hamilton was unaware and at the same time overwhelmed by a surprise meet-and-greet session with the fans and Petronas staff at the lobby of the twin towers.

“No one told me about meeting the fans, I thought I was heading for the press conference. Instead, I looked over the balcony and saw a sea of people...a lot of team Malaysia, a lot of great support.

“It means a lot to me and I was quite emotional, particularly in a place where we will not be having a grand prix anymore. It is great to come back, even though I am only here for a day,” he said.

Meanwhile, Noor Afiza said it was a momentous occasion for Petronas as it was also the fourth time for the national oil company to provide the winning formula to the team.

“It means a lot for the brand and for the last four years, the brand had grown steadily as one of the most valuable brands and in fact, we are ranked among the top 10 brands in oil and gas in the world.

“We had renewed our contract (in July) with Mercedes until 2020 and we are hoping to help the team achieve another three years of double victories (in the drivers and constructors’ championships),” she said. – Bernama