Hamilton on Alonso, Rosberg and Vettel

Editor

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso

Lewis Hamilton may have only teamed up with Fernando Alonso for one season but says the Spaniard was the “toughest” he’s had in Formula 1.

Hamilton entered the sport in 2007 and, as a rookie, found himself up against Alonso at McLaren.

It was a year that was fraught with tension between the team-mates, who both lost the championship to Kimi Raikkonen by a single point.

“I would say Fernando is one of the toughest that I have ever faced,” Hamilton said during a fans event with UBS Formula 1.

But while Alonso was his tough, his more recent team-mate troubles were caused by Nico Rosberg.

The two were together at Mercedes for four years, winning three championship doubles.

“I would say the battle with Nico was difficult but for different reasons,” Hamilton added.

“Everyone has had their own challenges and they are all different in their own rights.”

This season Hamilton’s biggest challenge looks to be from an outside source in Sebastian Vettel and the four-time World Champ admits he won’t be easy to beat.

“I don’t arrive thinking I’m a four-time World Champion,” Hamilton said.

“You reset every year and your goals and aspirations are changing.

“It’s kind of cool but he has got a bloody good car and it is going to take every ounce out of me to try and win.

“We are going to have intense battle but I wouldn’t have it any other way…

“The better he is the harder I have to work and it makes it all the more satisfying when I win.”