F1: Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button talk about the 2010 grand prix season

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton

WITH the 2010 Formula 1 campaign fast approaching, Lewis Hamilton and new McLaren Mercedes team-mate, world champion Jenson Button, talk about their thoughts for the forthcoming grand prix season.

Lewis Hamilton racing at Bahrain last year [Pictures courtesy of www.mclaren.com]

LEWIS Hamilton is all revved up for the new Formula 1 season.

With preparations for 2010 already well underway at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Hamilton spoke of his hopes for the campaign ahead.

After a rollercoaster ride in 2009 as reigning world champion, the Herts-born racer is looking to hit the ground running when the season kicks off with the opening Grand Prix of Bahrain in just 62 days’ time.

Spurred on by the legendary Michael Schumacher returning to the sport and the arrival of new F1 champion Jenson Button at McLaren, Hamilton is keen to be in tip-top physical condition.

He said: “At the end of the 2009 season, I promised myself that I would aim to be 100 per cent fit and focused on the new year, so I’ve been working hard.”

Hamilton, who turned 25 last week, is looking forward to trying the new McLaren car for the first time.

“I’m excited and can’t wait to see it and test it,” he said.

“I’ll be working closely with my engineers and the team to make sure we all hit the ground running with the new car.

Lewis Hamilton

“You can never take competitiveness for granted in Formula 1 – we saw that last year – so our common goal has to be to make MP4-25 a winning proposition as quickly as possible.

“Only once we’ve achieved that can we start looking at winning races and then, eventually, the world championship.”

Hamilton hasn’t met Jenson at McLaren’s hi-tech Woking headquarters yet, but hopes they form a successful partnership when their paths do cross.

“We’ve both been to MTC for our seat fittings – but they were on different days,” said Lewis, whose family live in Tewin, Hertfordshire.

"You can never take competitiveness for granted in Formula 1 – we saw that last year – so our common goal has to be to make MP4-25 a winning proposition as quickly as possible.
Only once we’ve achieved that can we start looking at winning races and then, eventually, the world championship."

Lewis Hamilton on McLaren’s new car

“The first time we’ll start working together is later this month, when we’ll both be at Woking together, then we’ll have the launch and the first test.

“We’ll be sharing the pre-season testing equally, and it will be important to keep a crossover of information between us to make sure we are both pulling in the right direction.”

Despite having only officially joined the team on New Year’s Day, Button already feels part of the McLaren family.

“I’m loving every minute of it,” said the former Brawn GP driver from Frome in Somerset.

“The atmosphere within the team feels fantastic, and I’ve already started to feel at home here.”

Like Lewis, Jenson is itching to get behind the wheel of McLaren’s 2010 challenger.

“I can’t wait to get out in the fantastic new car the team has built for me,” said last year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year runner-up.

“Honestly, I really cannot wait to get out to Valencia and get my first run in the MP4-25.

“I think that’s when it will finally sink in that I’m a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver.”

On his thoughts for the season ahead, Hamilton’s new team-mate added: “Obviously, my aim is to keep the number one on my car for as long as possible!

“But, at the moment, it’s a little bit too early to start talking about the world championship.

“The backbone of any title challenge is built on good preparation, hard word, focus and dedication.

“And the hard work starts here – the next 10 weeks could well largely dictate the destiny of the 2010 world championship, so it’s crucial that we start testing very strongly and that we never let up.

“I’m more motivated than ever to work with the team and my engineers, and I’ve extremely positive for the year ahead.”

F1: Rosberg Giving Nothing Up For Schumacher At Mercedes GP

MERCEDES GP DRIVER NICO Rosberg wants the German team’s number one seat, telling press this week that new teammate and racing legend Michael Schumacher will have to fight him for it.

Rosberg, who signed with Mercedes GP before the former Brawn outfit announced Schumacher’s return to Formula 1, said he plans to be the team’s best driver in 2010.

Speaking with Germany’s Auto Bild, the 24 year-old former Williams driver said that he and Schumacher consider themselves equals at the new team, but competition between the two drivers will be strong.

"We are on an equal footing in the team, it’s always been like that at Mercedes, that’s their philosophy," Rosberg said.

"Your own teammate is the driver you always compare yourself to because he has the same car. My aim is to be in front of him as much as possible."

Rosberg delivered a sting to his famous teammate, saying he’d always been a bigger fan of Mika Hakkinen -  a friend of the Rosberg family - happiest whenever the Finn beat Schumacher.

Despite his eagerness to beat the former Ferrari hero, Rosberg said Schumacher’s return after a three year ‘retirement’ is a good thing.

"He’s stayed active and enthusiastic, and he wants to race again. He’s happy and that’s what matters."

Mercedes drivers to share winter test days

By Motorsport.com/GMM

The pre-season test days scheduled by Mercedes GP will be split evenly between the team's race drivers, Norbert Haug has confirmed.

Germany's Bild newspaper revealed that Michael Schumacher, who turned 41 on Sunday, will drive at four separate winter tests prior to his Grand Prix return in mid March.

They will take place at Valencia, Jerez, Jerez (again) and Barcelona, and Mercedes' competition director Haug denied that seven time world champion Schumacher will enjoy the bulk of the 15 test days.

"No. I think it (the testing) will be divided fairly between both the drivers," he said, also referring to the German's 2010 teammate Nico Rosberg.

Fry tips Mercedes for F1 impact

Mercedes GP chief executive Nick Fry is confident that drivers Michael Shumacher (5/1 F1 Drivers Championship Outright) and Nico Rosberg(12/1) can bring success to their team in the 2010 Formula One season.

Mercedes recently confirmed that Schumacher was coming out of retirement to drive for the team this year and Fry feels the seven-times world champion and Rosberg can both have a big say in the destination of the drivers' title.

He told GP Update: "I think for 2010 we have to aim for a top three place in the Constructors' Championship and of course we need to win races.

"It's very difficult to go beyond that because we don't know at this stage what our competition will do."

Fry identified Ferrari and McLaren, who have the British dream team of 2008 winner Lewis Hamilton (11/4 F1 Drivers Outright) and reigning champion Jenson Button (15/2) driving for them in 2010, as two teams who should be strong during the season.

Red Bull have also been tipped by Fry to have an impact with Sebastian Vettel (13/2) on board if they have sufficiently developed their car for the new season.