Motoring News

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he expects his main challengers to be "the same faces as last year" with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel possibly joining them.

Speaking exclusively to Gulf Weekly, Hamilton, who turned 24 last week, named "Kimi, Felipe, Robert, Heikki and Fernando" as the usual suspects who he believes will be his main rivals.

Fans of the sport might find it reassuring that he is on first-name terms with these drivers after a tense season when no love seemed to be lost between some of the competitors.

Hamilton said: "It’s no secret that I would like to have a smoother campaign in 2009 – I’d like to make fewer mistakes and I’m working hard to make sure that happens.

Neutrals will be hoping that the season goes down to the wire again after the thrilling climax to the championship in Brazil when the British driver seemed almost certain to be pipped to the title on the final lap.

Written by Penny Forguay