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.