Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton hopes he will be able to compete with Formula 1's top three teams throughout the upcoming campaign, despite the fact that his new employers only finished fifth in the 2012 Constructors’ standings.
With the sport entering a transition phase before a major regulation overhaul at the end of the year, 2013 has been labelled a preparatory season for Hamilton and Mercedes. However, the Briton is refusing to rule out the prospect of taking the fight to Red Bull, Ferrari and his former McLaren team in his first term with the Silver Arrows.
"I live to win," Hamilton explained during an official visit to the Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Stuttgart on Monday. "That’s what I work towards every year, so that’s what we’re going to be working towards this year. It’s going to be tough to beat the guys that are already at the front, like the Red Bulls, the Ferraris and the McLarens, but I don’t think it’s impossible."
Hamilton went on to explain that the biggest hurdle he faces at present - aside from fundamental car performance - is getting to know the team members around him, with the 28-year-old having to forge brand-new working relationships at Mercedes.
"I think this year is going to be an interesting year," the 2008 World Champion explained of the season ahead. "It’s going to be an interesting journey. Getting to know new people and working with new people is always a massive challenge. First and foremost, that’s one of the biggest challenges I have.
"After that it’s trying to succeed with them, trying to extract the most out of them and vice versa. But I think it’s going to be a journey that we’re going to enjoy."
Hamilton will share the Mercedes garage with Germany's Nico Rosberg this season. During their karting days, the two drivers were team-mates under the AMG banner.
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