Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton has stressed that neither he and Mercedes must not focus on setting Formula 1 records, and treat 2019 as if they are aiming for their first titles.
Hamilton is now a five-time World Champion while Mercedes clinched its fifth straight Constructors’ crown last year.
No team has secured both world titles across six successive seasons, while on a personal level Hamilton is edging towards Michael Schumacher’s record of seven crowns and 91 wins.
“For me, it’s not something that I allow my peers to talk about, that’s not who we’re here to focus on, that number,” he said.
“It’s never been done before. We are always driven to do something new and break boundaries and do stuff that no-one has done before, but we are fully aware of the work that it will take to deliver something like that.
“By no means are we like ‘yeah we’re going for the sixth’ like it’s a relaxed thing. It’s nothing like that.
“For me as well, I’m not focusing on that.
“It’s a new season, a new year, a new chapter, and we have to approach it like it’s our first and we’re going for number one. That’s how I approach it.”
Hamilton also praised Mercedes’ efforts through the winter, commenting: “Right now we are competing against our past selves as a team.
“We are trying to raise the bar in all those areas. All the engineers at the factory are raising the bar.
“It has been super impressive to see the atmosphere within the team after all these years of success.
“To see the hunger and the drive is still there, no one is phasing out or backing off, everyone is pushing full steam ahead.
“It has been a difficult winter back at the factory; I could see it and I have heard from the guys it was probably the most difficult one, with the rule change once again.
“But if anyone can do it, I truly believe it is my guys.
“We are the only team to have won a championship in a crossover of rules situation and I am confident that even if we don't start on the right foot at the first race I feel confident.”
