Lewis Hamilton celebrates his victory in last year’s Australian Grand Prix.
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He has savoured a celebrity lifestyle in the downtime after his triumphant 2015 season, and claimed the last six months have been the best of his life.
The opening race: 20 March Australian Grand Prix Live on Sky Sports F1, highlights on Channel 4.
A police spokesperson said it was an offence to use a mobile phone while driving a vehicle, and said police took a “strong stance” on any activity which endangered other road users. I just do me.
Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery says: “With far-reaching changes to tyre regulations compared to 2015, we expect strategy options to have extended considerably, with more possibilities open not only to each team but also every individual driver”.
Asked if he would continue for another 10 years, the Brit told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme: “I don’t have plans to go that long, but I love what I do”. When I arrive at the track, I don’t feel like I’m world champion – that’s why I have number 44 on my auto and not number one.
It will be the first qualifying session under the new format, in which drivers get a few minutes in each of the three qualifying segments to set their best lap times before drivers start being eliminated one-by-one.
“If I’m not training, getting ready for the race, I’m here”. “It has been quite big across the previous year”.
Mercedes driver Hamilton will set off in pursuit of a third successive championship success in Melbourne next week, and he will do so taking nothing for granted.
The Constructors’ champion is bullish about the new vehicle after near-flawless pre-season testing, however, and team-mate Nico Rosberg may again loom as Hamilton’s stiffest competition in Melbourne.
The German, who again shapes as Hamilton’s fiercest championship rival, has vowed to fight all the way during the 2016 title race. He said: “I will be giving my full support to both and look forward to the exciting possibilities the year has ahead”. Vettel is thought to have two years left on his lucrative contract with Ferrari but with options to extend beyond 2018.
The bookies reckon Rosberg, fighting to earn a new deal at Mercedes, hasn’t got a prayer when the lights go out.
A SkyCity spokesperson responded: “SkyCity is very sorry to hear Lewis Hamilton didn’t enjoy himself at our casino last night – we pride ourselves on providing an excellent level of service to all our customers”.
“Toro Rosso has made a massive step”, Vettel said.
Dismayed by the predictability of modern F1, the sport’s commercial chief Bernie Ecclestone led the way in introducing a new qualifying system which will, after much debate and opposition from the top teams and drivers, be in place this weekend.
Similar predictions would be a safe bet for this year although the early season testing has not been conclusive as to whether Ferrari have manage to close, or even overhaul, the gap to the dominant Mercedes outfit.
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Many people think Hamilton will move to Ferrari at the end of his Mercedes career.
