Lewis Hamilton wants more teams to challenge Mercedes in Formula One this season

MERCEDES star Lewis Hamilton has challenged his rivals, including Aussie Daniel Ricciardo, to step up their championship fight against his all-conquering Mercedes team.

The 2017 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park. Press Conference with Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton removes a broken chair. Picture: Alex Coppel.

MERCEDES star Lewis Hamilton has challenged his rivals, including Australian Daniel Ricciardo, to step up their championship fight against his all-conquering team starting this weekend at Albert Park.

The three-time world champion said he wanted more teams sparring at the front of the Formula One grid and he was more than ready “for a fight” ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

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Mercedes have won the past three Formula One championships and are again expected to be the pacesetters in 2017.

But Hamilton, who won back-to-back titles in 2014-15, admitted victory would be much more satisfying if he was locked in a two or three-way battle with Ferrari and Red Bull Racing for the drivers’ championship.

“Having more teams and having more drivers up at the front fighting for wins, that’s what racing is all about — I’m hoping that is the case,’’ Hamilton said.

“Every year your goal is to beat everyone and the more of a fight you have, the more satisfying it is when you are victorious.

“Of course, the more we are down for a challenge, I am fully up for a challenge and for a fight. That’s what I prepare for.

“We as a team ... as far as I’m aware, no team has won back-to-back (titles) through rule regulation changes, so that is our goal as a team and we are here to win and here to do something that no one else has done.’’

Lewis Hamilton spraying champagne after winning the 2015 Formula One Australian Grand Prix. Picture: AFP

Ricciardo, who finished third in the championship last year behind the Mercedes pairing of the now retired Nico Rosberg and Hamilton, said everyone wanted to see a change at the front of the grid.

“I think for everyone it’s like when Red Bull were dominating a few years ago, it was like everyone wanted to see someone else win,’’ Ricciardo said.

“It’s natural people like change and, for us drivers not in a Mercedes, we want to see change as well. I think even for the fact to have more cars fighting for a win, it makes it more exciting.

“If Lewis is in a fight, if he wins a race against four of us against as opposed to just his teammate, I think that reward is bigger as well.

“I think if you win against more, basically, it’s not only good for the fans, but that feeling of self-accomplishment is greater.’’

As he did during pre-season testing, Hamilton again tried to turn the pressure onto rivals Ferrari by declaring them as the favourites heading into the season.

But he said he was excited to see what Red Bull would “bring” in Melbourne, suggesting they had not shown their full hand in testing.

“I see Ferrari being the quickest at the moment. I think they will definitely be the favourites, but of course we will find out at the weekend,’’ Hamilton said.

“It’s interesting to see, with Sebastian (Vettel) there is usually a bit more hype and I can see he is trying to keep a lid on it, but their pace was obviously great in testing.

“I’m very, very keen to see what Red Bull bring because they were quite far behind through testing, at least compared to Ferrari, and I didn’t see them bring many upgrade, or any upgrade as far as I could see. So I’m assuming they are bringing something here, which I am excited to see what they do bring.’’

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