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Hamilton hopes McLaren will be competitive in 2018

Published on 10 Dec 2017 14:55
6
By: Fergal Walsh

Four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton admits that he hopes McLaren will return to the front of the field for the 2018 season. When the new season rolls around, McLaren will be running with Renault power, having separated from Honda.

McLaren's three-year partnership with Honda was a turbulent affair, with zero podiums coming from the disastrous project. McLaren's highest finish in the constructor's standings over the three years was sixth, which came in 2016.

However, next season the Woking-based squad will run with Renault, who will also provide engines to Red Bull. With Fernando Alonso remaining at the team for a fourth consecutive year, Hamilton wants to fight once with his former teammate.

"I had a great battle with Fernando towards the end of the season in Mexico," Hamilton told GPUpdate.net, referring to the Mexican Grand Prix. "I would love to have more battles with him on a much more level playground, as I think they've had such a difficult time.

"Being that I grew up with McLaren from 13 [years old], I go through qualifying and I always look to see where Fernando is and I always look to see where they are, and watching their progress. There's just a natural place in my heart for them because I achieved a huge amount with them.

"I really hope that next year is a successful year for them and I really hope that we are battling with them as McLaren deserves to be at the front," he continued. "It's a fantastic team with incredible history, I'm incredibly proud of what Ron [Dennis, former McLaren CEO] did with that team.

"It doesn't matter who took over. For me it's always Ron's team. I hope that with this new power unit they're there with us, I hope you have another incredible World Champion up there with us fighting for the World Championship."

Fergal Walsh

LightIsRight

Posts: 113

I think he does. Everybody has a soft spot for one or other team. It's a team he grew up with, you don't just forget that.

I would love to see Williams doing well again, and will keep supporting them even if they were back markers.

2
Dec 10 2017 - 17:03

F1 News Fernando Alonso Lewis Hamilton Jake Dennis Renault McLaren Honda

Replies (6)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Sure he does.
- + 1
- Dec 10 2017 - 15:19
- LightIsRight
  
  Posts: 113
  I think he does. Everybody has a soft spot for one or other team. It's a team he grew up with, you don't just forget that.
  
  I would love to see Williams doing well again, and will keep supporting them even if they were back markers.
  + 2
  
  Dec 10 2017 - 17:03
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  True, but Im not sure he is honest in him wanting McLaren to be back fighting in the top. Im pretty sure he is happy with Mercedes remaining dominant.
  + 1
  
  Dec 10 2017 - 17:04
Barron

Posts: 625
Well said Lewis. Spoken like a Champ!
- + 0
- Dec 11 2017 - 09:15
reg

Posts: 162
Usual bulls**t from the World Champion bulls**tter.
Does anyone apart from the sycophantic BBC even remotely care what Hamilton thinks or says!
Trying to associate himself by inference with Ron Dennis is typical, remember Button outscored in in his last year there, but we don't hear from him how great Button was do we!
- + 2
- Dec 11 2017 - 11:20
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  Well well at least you get it, a lot don't, they have their heads so far up the a55holes of SkyF1 and the other sycophants that they cant think for themselves. Hell if logic came and bitch slapped them they wouldn't know it.
  + 0
  
  Dec 11 2017 - 14:58