Lewis Hamilton Already Focused On 2019, Urges Mercedes To Push
Lewis Hamilton was crowned the 2018 F1 Drivers’ champion at the Mexico Grand Prix in October. It was the British racer’s fifth world championship since making his debut in 2007.
It was possibly Hamilton’s most difficult title battle after he was pushed almost all the way by Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. The Mercedes driver had to be resilient throughout the campaign and ensure he made no mistakes in the face of tremendous pressure.
While the Ferrari driver crashed and spun at important junctures of the campaign, he remained unshakeable as he went on to claim the title with two races remaining in the campaign.
Hamilton also hailed it as possibly his greatest triumph but before it has even sunk in fully the Briton is already looking to the future. He is certain he will enjoy his title success during the Christmas break but revealed he wanted to maintain focus on coming back a better driver in 2019.
The 33-year-old is not willing to rest on his laurels and is certain that he will again be pushed by Ferrari and Red Bull Racing in 2019. He is keen to improve further and has urged the team to also push forward.
"I've not had time to really unwind and let off," Hamilton said after Mercedes clinched the Constructors’ title in Brazil, as per Sky Sports. "I think that's something that will happen over Christmas, but then it doesn't stop there. Where can you improve?”
"I'm always thinking how can I improve as a driver? What can we improve as a team?" the five-time world champion added.
Mercedes made a slow start to the campaign as Ferrari won the first two races of the season and Red Bull clinched the third. It was not until the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that Hamilton and the Silver Arrows team recorded their first win – and that was also handed to them due to Vettel and Ferrari’s strategy error.
The British driver is keen for the team to address their shortcomings at the start of the campaign and have as a strong a beginning to the season as they have had an end – which saw them win seven of the last 10 races to romp to the Drivers’ and Constructors’ title.
"I'm going to try and think how the first half of our season could have been stronger," Hamilton said. "How do we make sure we start stronger, and then finish off as strong as we did?”
"Please try and think how you can be better individually, and together with the guys you are working next to. Because that's what I'm trying to think of; how I can deliver more for you next year. So, when they bring more power, and more energy, we bring even more,” the British racer explained.
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