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Lewis Hamilton has welcomed the young competition that he will be up against in 2019. Ferrari and Red Bull will promote Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly respectively for next season, who are both currently under 23 years of age.
Hamilton admits that he sees a bit of himself in the youngsters. The Birton made his debut in 2007 with McLaren as a 22-year-old and contended for the title in his rookie season, missing out by a single point to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.
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"I welcome the competition, naturally," the five-time world champion said. "I do see a little bit of myself within them, being at their age I had the same kind of 'eye of the tiger', I would say, I guess. But I guess now it is a little bit different for me being that I am one of the older drivers.
"But I feel like I still have that hunger that I guess that they are coming in with. But backed with experience which - I don't know how you guys feel in your job - but in my job experience - and I am pretty sure it is the same in yours - there is no substitute for that. So I hope that speaks mountains next year."
Despite wrapping up the driver's title last time out in Mexico, Hamilton is still focused on his targets for the final two races. Mercedes has not yet wrapped up the constructor's championship, despite being 55 points ahead of rivals Ferrari.
In 11 races, Hamilton has only won at Interlagos once. He admits that he sees the Brazil circuit "as almost been like the Achilles' heel part of the season. The last two races have been kind of not great for us. So the idea is to turn it around," he added.
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Rindtchamp
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...unless it's in the same team of course.. can't have competition in the same team, oh no.. better to have a spineless wingman. Yes, looking at you Mr Bottas.