adminMELBOURNE. – Lewis Hamilton said yesterday he wanted a season-long world title joust with Sebastian Vettel and declared Ferrari as the team to beat in this weekend’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
Three-time world champion Hamilton said he would love a close battle with Vettel, who strung together four world titles with Red Bull before switching to Ferrari. While Mercedes have dominated the last three seasons with Hamilton winning two titles and Nico Rosberg last year before his shock retirement, the Ferraris were quickest in pre-season testing.
Hamilton believes Ferrari are “keeping a lid” on expectations but said he would savour a battle with Vettel for this year’s world driver’s championship in the new generation of quicker cars.
“I’ve not had a lot of battles with Sebastian on the track. Of course, I’d love to have that. I think the fans want to see that,” Hamilton said.
“You want to be racing against the best. That’s what the fans want to see.
“They want to see that close racing, that sheer competitiveness. See the ups and downs of the best doing the best. I hope there’s lots of close racing.”
Hamilton said Ferrari, who have not won a world constructors title since 2008, had the quickest car heading into Sunday’s Melbourne season opener. – AFP.
Online Reporter