Lewis Hamilton vows to be ‘more aggressive’ as he prepares to reignite rivalry with Max Verstappen in Bahrain F1 opener
LEWIS HAMILTON reignites his rivalry with Max Verstappen for actual in the present day because the F1 season kicks off in Bahrain. And the Brit has promised to be “extra aggressive” this yr after being roughed up by the Dutchman, who gained the title in controversial circumstances. 2 Lewis Hamilton has promised to be extra…
LEWIS HAMILTON reignites his rivalry with Max Verstappen for actual in the present day because the F1 season kicks off in Bahrain.
And the Brit has promised to be “extra aggressive” this yr after being roughed up by the Dutchman, who gained the title in controversial circumstances.
The 2 got here to blows spectacularly at Silverstone and Monza whereas in addition they had a close to miss in Sao Paulo and clashed in Jeddah.
However it was the ultimate race that precipitated the largest uproar when Michael Masi, the previous FIA race director, did not comply with security automobile guidelines to permit Verstappen to cross Hamilton on the ultimate lap to win the race and the title.
Hamilton spent the off season licking his wounds and has promised to return out swinging as he appears to be like to win a document eighth world title.
He stated: “I will probably be a extra aggressive driver this yr, you may see.”
Masi has since been axed from his position following an FIA investigation – which blamed the controversial season finale on “human error” – which however Hamilton says he is not going to be distracted by the disappointing finish to the final marketing campaign.
He added: “I do not maintain any grudges. I haven’t got any baggage going into the season. It is very important let go.
“All I can do is try to form what’s forward. I am unable to change the previous. I am simply approaching the season making an attempt to be the very best that I could be.
“I wish to see if there is a approach I can by some means elevate my sport — drive at the least how I used to be on the finish of final season.
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“And simply that collaboration with the group, there’s going to be tons and many hurdles alongside the best way. However I like that.
“I haven’t got that [revenge] viewpoint. I feel I will simply try to be the very best driver I could be this yr.”
Nonetheless, Hamilton, who has a brand new teammate in fellow Brit George Russell, faces a large headache if he’s to beat Verstappen in Bahrain – in additional methods than one.
Mercedes have warned that their new automobile for this season was not fast sufficient whereas in addition they battle to become familiar with the brand new guidelines modifications.
Amd that was evident in qualifying yesterday, with Britain’s knight of the spherical observe solely making fifth place on the grid in the present day.
Their new design is inflicting their automobile to bounce up and down at prime pace, making it troublesome to regulate and intensely uncomfortable to drive.
So as to add to Hamilton’s considerations each Verstappen’s Purple Bull and the 2 Ferraris look extremely fast.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took pole with Dutch champ Verstappne simply 0.1 seconds behind in second place.
Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz in in third, whereas the second Purple Bull, pushed by Sergio Perez, is in fourth.
And issues had been even worse for Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell, who will begin in NINTH.