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Hamilton wants Mercedes F1 challengers

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton says he hopes other teams can challenge him in the fresh Formula One season.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton says he hopes other teams can challenge him in the fresh F1 season. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Even Lewis Hamilton doesn't want to see more glorified Mercedes processions in the fresh Formula One season.

Hamilton's Mercedes have dominated the sport in the past three years.

But the Englishman hopes for something different when the new season starts with practice sessions at the Australian grand prix in Melbourne on Friday.

"Having more teams and having more drivers up at the front fighting for wins, that is what racing is all about," Hamilton said.

"So I'm hoping that is the case."

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Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing's Daniel Ricciardo appear best-placed to challenge the Mercedes era.

And Australian Ricciardo believes the end of the era would benefit his sport.

"It's like when Red Bull were dominating a few years ago," he said, referring to the team's four consecutive constructors' championships from 2010.

"Everyone wanted to see someone else win. So it's natural people like change.

"And for us drivers not being in Mercedes, we want to see change as well.

"Having more cars fighting for a win, it makes it more exciting ... if he (Hamilton) is in a fight, if he wins a race against four of us as opposed to just his teammate, I think that reward is bigger as well.

"If you can win against more, basically then it's not only good for the fans but I think that feeling of self-accomplishment is greater."

The new season begins at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit with two practice sessions on Friday, from 1200 AEDT and 1600 AEDT.


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