Lewis Hamilton: I'm hungrier than ever to win the F1 title
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 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 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 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.
"I had a fantastic fight the last few years and obviously last year was the closest that I had," said Hamilton, who lost out on the title to Rosberg despite winning a greater number of grands prix than his Mercedes team-mate.
"But I want to win the world championship more than ever before, and while you would think the hunger could not be any more it has frickin doubled.
"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.
"My discipline has definitely gone up in terms of my training and how specific I am with my diet, sleep, and all of these different things.
"Every year you try to improve but I would say I have taken a good step this year. For example, I trained myself this year. That was a challenge I set myself. Can you have the motivation to do it yourself and get yourself ready and turn up?
"I have and I am going to continue to work because there is going to be some really tough races this year."