Whilst Lewis Hamilton would like to dominate again, he says he’d prefer it if Mercedes’ rivals were closer than in 2014 as he enjoys nothing more than a wheel-to-wheel battle.
The Briton secured the 2014 crown with 11 wins from 19 races, whilst team-mate Nico Rosberg took five and Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo the remaining three.
However Hamilton was rarely involved in a battle for the lead other than with Rosberg or when he was forced to start the race at the back of the pack.
The 30-year-old is hoping that changes a little this season, with rivals piling on the pressure to give fans what they really want.
“I really like to race,” he told Laureus. “Particularly with the challenge of other teams, because there’s always strengths and weaknesses of another driver and another team so I love that.
“That’s what racing’s about, it’s to be racing with everyone. But the way Formula One is, the way the rules come out and the seasons pan out, each year the best team, with all the cream, will rise to the top and be at the front. But, yes, the more people the merrier.”
The Mercedes driver reckons fans would also prefer a multi-team battle at the front, rather than one team in particular dominating.
“There was one year we had, it was like the first seven races were won by a different driver, a different team, that’s what people want to see, but, most importantly, if the cars are close you can have real races where you’re overtaking and battling and that’s what I love doing.”
