Lewis Hamilton fully expects Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to have the upper-hand at certain races this season.
The Britain is therefore focusing his efforts on improving at those circuits he believes he will be weaker at than his German counterpart.
Whilst Hamilton has won the last three races, and could have potentially taken victory in Australia after securing pole had it not been for reliability issues, he’s aware that Rosberg is stronger at some venues.
“Nico is driving really well, he’s pushing me very hard and keeping me on my toes,” the 29-year-old is quoted as saying.
“We’re going to see from race to race, there are going to be times when he’s going to be quicker and I’m going to be quicker, as we saw last year.”
He’s working to close the gaps from last year – something he believes he did successfully in Bahrain, which allowed him to win the race by a small fraction.
“I’ve generally gone quite well in China, but in Bahrain, for example, he got pole and has generally been stronger there.
“My job this year was to try to close the gap a little, which I did – it wasn’t half a second like it was last year in qualifying – it was three tenths.
“What I’m really trying to focus on is those circuits where I am maybe weaker, or not as close to him.”
In 2013, Rosberg beat Hamilton in qualifying at the Bahrain, Spanish, Monaco, Italian, Singapore, Indian, Abu Dhabi and Brazilian GP’s.
