Hamilton hungrier than ever for title success

A determined Lewis Hamilton has said he wants to win the world title more than ever before, and claimed his hunger has doubled this season as he prepares for a battle royale with Sebastian Vettel.

The Mercedes driver is on the back foot in the early knockings after he failed to match Vettel and his resurgent Ferrari team in Australia as the Prancing Horse delivered on their pre-season potential to take the chequered flag on Sunday.

It means three-time world champion Hamilton is facing a new challenge this year following both Ferrari’s return to form, and the departure of his long-running rival and former childhood friend Nico Rosberg, who headed for retirement after winning last year’s title.

But the 32-year-old Briton appears to be revelling in both dynamics – the tension-free atmosphere at Mercedes following the arrival of Valtteri Bottas, and the task of what he described as the “best versus the best” in reference to his title showdown with Vettel.

It is not a tag line Hamilton would have used for the past three seasons in which his sole competitor was Rosberg, the reigning champion who watched events from Melbourne unfold at home in Monte Carlo.

“I had a fantastic fight the last few years and obviously last year was the closest that I had,” Hamilton, who lost out on the title to Rosberg despite winning a greater number of grands prix than his Mercedes team-mate, said.

“But I want to win the world championship more than ever before, and while you would think that the hunger could not be anymore it has frickin doubled.

“I am going home after this – usually I stay out in Asia and train in the hot weather – but I will get my head down, rest and make sure I come back fighting for the next race in China.

“I believe I can win and I want to win for the team and the fans.”