Hamilton: Raikkonen set for tough fight

The McLaren driver believes that although the world champion's testing pace has been impressive through the winter, he thinks McLaren have given him a car capable of challenging for the title.

"With the package we have, I doubt very much that Kimi will run away with it," Hamilton told British media during a press event at the McLaren factory. "What they [Ferrari] have is a very good car.

"But I thought it was a bit strange that they weren't at all the tests that we were. They were very fast in Bahrain but we don't know what they were doing there. Barcelona is very accurate though, and, if you look at last year in Barcelona, there was a bigger gap - three to four tenths between us. This year I think it is a lot closer. We have very equal cars."

Hamilton revealed that losing the world championship title in Brazil last year was a bigger blow than he had previously admitted, but added that this experience had strengthened his determination and resolve over the winter break.

The McLaren driver also explained that part of his training had been focussed on learning to deal with the pressures of being a title contender more efficiently.

"I have learned not to let the pressure get to you," he said. "I know you have got to stay focussed and not let all the politics and everything get to you. Not that it ever did last year. That was one of my strengths and that's what I have got to maintain.

"It is slightly different from last year. I know what to expect this year and know how to be better in all those different races and qualifying sessions. That's what all the training has been about."

He added: "The last couple of races did get hard. I was as high as could be after Japan, and I went to China with that same confidence, but for anyone it is going to be hard having a hit like that.

"Losing the world championship for someone who works their whole life for it [is tough to take]. The amount of support I was given from friends and family was positive.

"This year is going to be different. I don't have any doubts in my mind that I am going to do a good job this year - but it means something different. It means I want to win it."

Hamilton also warned his rivals that he expects to be even more competitive in his second season now that he has established himself as one of Formula One's leading contenders with a year's experience to draw on.

"I feel there is less pressure on me from the outside world," Hamilton said. "Maybe there is more but I feel there is less. Last year I had to prove everyone wrong.

"There were people saying, can he or can't he do it? I am sure even a lot of people in the team were, because although I was quick in testing, racing in F1 is completely different.

"In your first year everyone is waiting for you to fall. This year is different because everybody knows I can drive. I will be knocked a lot more for mistakes this year because I was a rookie last year.

"I feel going into the first race I am not going into an unknown world. All last year these new things were being thrown at me with all the different appearances I had to do sitting on the grid for my first race.

"This year I know what I have got to do to get to the front of the grid."