Relaxed Hamilton not feeling the pressure

LEWIS HAMILTON insists the tag of world champion has allowed him to relax heading into the new Formula One season.

Hamilton will take to the wheel of McLaren’s new challenger — the MP4-24 that was unveiled yesterday at the team’s Technology Centre in Woking — for the first time on Wednesday, 81 days after he was crowned F1 king in Brazil.

In some respects, the wraps coming off the car were overshadowed by the announcement of Ron Dennis that he is to step down as team boss on March 1, allowing long-time right-hand man and chief executive Martin Whitmarsh to take up the reins. Dennis is adamant he is not retiring, focusing on other projects within the company.

It ensures a degree of continuity, and so little will change behind the scenes so far as Hamilton is concerned.

“I don’t think there is any added pressure just because I’m now world champion,” insisted Hamilton.

“In fact, I feel more relaxed going into the season simply because I’m coming off a great season.

“I don’t sit here saying ‘I am world champion’. I sit here saying ‘I want to be world champion’.”

That will be more difficult for the 24-year-old than for past champions due to the raft of new regulations imposed for the coming campaign with revamped aerodynamics, the new kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), a return to slick tyres, and a ban on in-season testing all ensuring the teams face the unknown.

“I’ve sat down more with the engineers of late,” said Hamilton. “I am understanding the differences in the suspension, KERS and all the safety aspects.”