Lewis looking to get better

Hamilton: New goals for 2009

It's a new beginning for me. I've done what I've always wanted to since I was a kid and now I set myself new goals

Lewis Hamilton
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Lewis Hamilton is ready for a "new beginning" as he sets himself new goals after fulfilling a boyhood dream by winning the world title.

The British driver was back behind the wheel on Thursday for the first time since the thrilling climax to the 2008 season when he tested McLaren's new MP4-24 car in Portugal.

While he admits being crowned world champion was a life-long dream, the 24-year-old has now plans to rest on his laurels in the 2009 campaign.

Instead Hamilton has warned his rivals that he intends to get even better as he looks to help himself, and his team, to further glory.

Extremely exciting

"It's going to be an extremely exciting year for me," he said. "I want to win more races, I want to make less mistakes.

"I don't want to make the mistakes that I made in the previous years and I want to win the championship for the team, but also win the world driver's championship for myself.

"It's a new beginning for me. I've done what I've always wanted to since I was a kid and now I set myself new goals."

Hamilton admits he doesn't know what to expect out of his new car, though he did manage to clock the third-fastest time in during the testing session at Portimao.

"The car is not an evolution of the previous year's car, so we can't say that Ferrari's going to be extremely quick of that BMW are going to be competing.

"We just have to wait and see and that's what makes it so exciting. I have no doubts that we, as a team, will be a fighting force at the front."