Hamilton wants multi-team title fight and repeat of 2012's seven winners in seven races; Ricciardo hopes Red Bull can make Melbourne "statement"
Thursday 13 December 2018 15:43, UK
Lewis Hamilton hopes the start of the new F1 season delivers 2012-style unpredictability as the sport waits to find out if Red Bull and Ferrari can challenge Mercedes.
Although Ferrari mounted a strong challenge to the Silver Arrows' supremacy for most of 2017, Mercedes ultimately ran out comfortable winners to extend their championship sequence to four consecutive drivers' and constructors' doubles.
The Silver Arrows again start the campaign as favourites but their reigning champion Hamilton, eyeing the fifth world title of his career this season, is hoping they are made to work hard for further success.
"The ultimate goal is we hopefully have more teams fighting for the championship," said Hamilton.
"There was one year where we had six different winners in the first six races or whatever it was - and that's only good for the sport. The more competition, the more fun it is to watch.
"I grew up watching the sport, being a fan of it and seeing it when it has been a one-team championship and [when] a couple fighting. So I'm really hopeful."
Can Red Bull strike an early blow?
The tone for last year's two-team title battle was effectively set when Sebastian Vettel beat Hamilton to victory in the Melbourne season-opener.
The Scuderia's winter form has been less conclusive this time around but the third member of F1's so-called 'Big Three', Red Bull, arrive in Australia in more optimistic mood at the start of a season than they have been for some time.
The former world champions have only ever won once in Melbourne, 2011, and home favourite Daniel Ricciardo believes Red Bull would be making a "statement" for the season ahead if they could manage to secure a race opening-weekend victory.
"As a team it would be huge. I think, if they are not already awoken, the other teams, it would get them going," Ricciardo was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
"For us to have a strong one would more set a statement for the long term this year and show that we are going to be fighting for the championship.
"It would be awesome to get off on the right foot."
