Mercedes still aiming for ‘almost impossible’ targets

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Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes are going through the same motions over the winter and will continue to chase their “almost impossible” targets.
The Silver Arrows blew away the competition again in 2019 as they secured a sixth consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ double, while Hamilton secured World Championship number six.
But with the regulations remaining stable for 2020 and Ferrari and Red Bull coming on strong in the second half of 2019, Hamilton and Mercedes may face a sterner test next season.
That doesn’t factor into Mercedes’ preparations though, with Hamilton saying they will continue to do the same things and set targets that are “almost impossible” to reach.
“I don’t think it’s going to be any more challenging than any other year,” Hamilton told Crash.net when asked about the upcoming winter break.
“Every year, it couldn’t be more challenging at the end of every season.
“The guys are going through the same motions as they have every single year, trying to push for a super-high target that is almost impossible to reach, so nothing changes for us.”
Hamilton pointed out that Red Bull are traditionally slow starters to an F1 season, but the Austrian outfit have said they are ahead of schedule for 2020, and Hamilton admits that Mercedes have to expect them to begin 2019 in strong fashion.
“I really have no idea how it’s going to be next year,” he admitted.
“Generally, often towards the end of the year, they [Red Bull] are strong. There are circuits, last year they were quick in Brazil, they were fast in Abu Dhabi.
“Often they’re pretty strong towards the end of the year. I don’t really know why that is the case.
“They haven’t been starting the seasons off as strong as history has been over the past god knows how many years, they’ve not started the seasons off stronger than Ferrari or us for example.
“But next year could change. You have to expect that could change and that might be the case. We just focus on doing our job and not worrying about what others do.”