Hamilton ready for another year of dominance

The 2015 Formula One season will start with the Australian Grand Prix

MELBOURNE: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will look to extend their title rivalry and Mercedes' dominance into a second Formula One season as their rivals grapple with new driving line-ups at Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

The reigning world champion and his German teammate are expected to make a flying start to the year after Mercedes improved both their chassis and engine in pre-season testing.

Britain's Hamilton fought off Rosberg to claim his second world title at the 2014 finale in Abu Dhabi, after a season in which a rejuvenated Silver Arrows team reigned supreme.

Hamilton failed to finish last year's Melbourne race and retired after just four laps, but the Briton went on to win 11 races among 16 wins for the all-conquering Mercedes team.

"We had a great season last year as a team and, of course, we'd all love to repeat that," said Hamilton. "But the others won't stop chasing us. I'm sure the competition will be close and we should get exciting racing with plenty of battling for position.”

Meanwhile, Sauber were locked in a court case on Wednesday after former reserve Giedo van der Garde claimed the team reneged on a deal for him to drive for them this season.

The Dutchman won his case at a Swiss tribunal and a court in Melbourne backed the ruling, but the Swiss team immediately appealed.

"What we cannot do is jeopardise the safety of our team, or any other driver on the track, by having an unprepared driver in a car that has now been tailored to two other assigned drivers," said chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn in a statement.

 

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