Lewis Hamilton: 2018 could be my toughest Formula 1 title fight yet
Lewis Hamilton says 2018 world championship victory would mean more than his previous Formula 1 titles given that Mercedes might currently only be the third-fastest team behind Ferrari and Red Bull
Last season Hamilton made it clear how much more satisfying it was to be fighting a driver from another team, as he went head to head with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel after three years of battling previous Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.
Mercedes has yet to win a grand prix in 2018, with Red Bull also now in the mix and Kimi Raikkonen raising his game for Ferrari too.
Asked by Autosport what it would mean to beat two rival teams to a title, Hamilton replied: "Who knows what the season holds? If it continues the way it is, it's going to be very tough to win.
"But if there's an opportunity, and we were to finish on top, it would mean even more, as it's even a tougher season than before."
Hamilton admitted that his difficult weekend in China had emphasised that Mercedes does not have the fastest car at the moment.
"My goal is obviously still the same, but it is clear from the weekend that we are not the quickest," he said.
"We've lost performance since Melbourne, and maybe more so even [at Shanghai].
"So we are second or third fastest team at the moment, so we've got some improving to do but that's not impossible.
"What this team has shown over the years is that we are great at staying united, and continuing to barrel on and keep working.
"So I know everyone here and back at the factory is just going to keep pushing as hard as possible."
Hamilton said he is pushing the key players in the team to find improvements.
"We've got a lot of information over the past couple of weeks," he said.
"So I certainly also am pushing James Vowles and James Allison, Niki [Lauda] and Toto [Wolff] very hard, trying to encourage them, and so they know which kind of areas to deal with in the car that we're struggling most with, so they can really apply pressure maybe in those departments, or just make sure that we've got more development coming.
"We've got to keep constructive pressure on the guys. But they're already pressured as they want to win just as much as all of us."
Vasseur: Verstappen mistakes will come if he’s put under pressure in F1
Vasseur: Verstappen mistakes will come if he’s put under pressure in F1 Vasseur: Verstappen mistakes will come if he’s put under pressure in F1
Ricciardo “reborn” and “re-energised” after F1 return
Ricciardo “reborn” and “re-energised” after F1 return Ricciardo “reborn” and “re-energised” after F1 return
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Hamilton: F1 diversity hasn't moved "anywhere near as much as it should have"
Hamilton: F1 diversity hasn't moved "anywhere near as much as it should have" Hamilton: F1 diversity hasn't moved "anywhere near as much as it should have"
Hamilton admits to self-doubt and how Abu Dhabi 2021 did prompt retirement thoughts
Hamilton admits to self-doubt and how Abu Dhabi 2021 did prompt retirement thoughts Hamilton admits to self-doubt and how Abu Dhabi 2021 did prompt retirement thoughts
Hamilton interview: How Mercedes lost and found its Northern Star in 2023
Hamilton interview: How Mercedes lost and found its Northern Star in 2023 Hamilton interview: How Mercedes lost and found its Northern Star in 2023
The future questions that GB3 must get right to continue its rise
The future questions that GB3 must get right to continue its rise The future questions that GB3 must get right to continue its rise
Why Palou’s latest IndyCar contract flip infuriated McLaren
Why Palou’s latest IndyCar contract flip infuriated McLaren Why Palou’s latest IndyCar contract flip infuriated McLaren
Alfa Romeo focused on WEC switch after ruling out staying in F1
Alfa Romeo focused on WEC switch after ruling out staying in F1 Alfa Romeo focused on WEC switch after ruling out staying in F1
The forgotten aspect of improving F1 engine efficiency
The forgotten aspect of improving F1 engine efficiency The forgotten aspect of improving F1 engine efficiency
The forgotten aspect of improving F1 engine efficiency
The forgotten aspect of improving F1 engine efficiency The forgotten aspect of improving F1 engine efficiency
The crucial detail that could determine Andretti’s F1 bid success
The crucial detail that could determine Andretti’s F1 bid success The crucial detail that could determine Andretti’s F1 bid success
The rushed McLaren F1 car that elevated a reluctant Senna's legacy
The rushed McLaren F1 car that elevated a reluctant Senna's legacy The rushed McLaren F1 car that elevated a reluctant Senna's legacy
The hidden joy in Verstappen's 1000 F1 laps led record
The hidden joy in Verstappen's 1000 F1 laps led record The hidden joy in Verstappen's 1000 F1 laps led record
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.