Lewis: I can turn Merc into a winning team

As one chapter of his career is about to come to end, Lewis Hamilton is already looking forward to the start of the next one…

As one chapter of his F1 career is about to come to end, Lewis Hamilton is already looking forward to the start of the next one and he is confident he will be successful.

Six years after making his debut, Hamilton’s McLaren stint came to a sad end at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday as he crashed out while battling for the lead.

He will be driving for rivals Mercedes next year after signing a multi-year contract with the Brackley-based squad.

His current team principal Martin Whitmarsh has in recent weeks suggested that he may already be regretting his decision to leave Woking and sign for Merc, but Hamilton is happy with the move.

“I don’t think there’s a right or wrong decision,” he said. “I made a decision, I’m happy with it, and I’ll go and do the best job with it.

“I know McLaren has an amazing car next year, they’ll be competitive, as will Red Bull, but I’m just going to wait and see what happens.

“I’m going to try and enjoy my winter break and come back strong next year when I hope to have a half-decent car.”

It remains to be seen if he can help turn Mercedes into a title-challenging team as they are coming off a disappointing 2012 campaign during which Nico Rosberg won just one race while the team also had 11 retirements in 20 races.

Hamilton, though, has no doubt that he can help turn the team into race winners.

“Going to Mercedes, I have just got a lot of work to do to help mould them into a winning team and I believe they have the potential. That is why I made the decision. I am going to mould that car to how I like it,” he said.

Hamilton isn’t often hailed as one of the best when it comes to the technical side of F1 and developing cars, but he believes he is better than people give him credit for.

“I guarantee you that is not the case,” he said.

“I don’t need to blow smoke up my own a**e. I know what I am capable of, although it won’t take a major effect until halfway through next season, although more so with the car for 2014. It just means I have to cram a lot into a short space of time. I don’t have a problem with that.”