Lewis Hamilton has the confidence and class to land sixth world title

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  • Changes tend to happen slowly in Formula One’s modern era, but one thing for certain is that Lewis Hamilton should clinch a sixth world title this season.

    The Briton is operating in a class of his own at the top of the championship in recent years, as proven by his stunning 2018 campaign, when he won 11 times.

    It can be argued that Sebastian Vettel’s errors effectively gifted him his the last two crowns, but then another side of it is, pressure was on both drivers, and Hamilton just purred with dominance, whereas Vettel buckled under the intensity of it.

    It may not be until he retires that the Formula One public fully appreciates Hamilton as a driver. He’s different. He keeps to himself, rarely mixes with other competitors, has different interests, and enjoys the limelight more than any other person on the grid.

    Whether that’s what people like about him or not, it doesn’t take away from his searing abilities on the track.

    At 34, he has already cemented his status as one of the all-time greats after landing a fifth world championship in October – becoming just the third driver in history to do so – and should remain at the pinnacle of the sport until he chooses to retire.

    He looked like a Gulliver in a field of Lilliputians at races in Germany, Hungary, Italy and Singapore last season – sometimes capitalising on Vettel’s mistakes and generally just driving the maximum out of a sizzling Mercedes car.

    In the final drivers’ standings in 2018, the Stevenage native finished a staggering 161 points ahead of his teammate Valtteri Bottas. Another key point to underline how strong of a campaign he had, especially when his teammate drives the same machine.

    The Finn will play second fiddle to Hamilton yet again, but will be expected to improve on his disappointing 2018 season or risk losing his seat at the end of 2019.

    A new season beckons this weekend in Melbourne. In 2018, Vettel took advantage of the virtual safety car to beat Hamilton in the opening race.

    And with Ferrari backing up its early season promise in pre-season testing, it is set up to be a thrilling season opener.

    It is certain we will see signs of that Scuderia pace early on, but whether the Italian marque can carry it through the entire season remains to be seen. With Vettel determined to atone for last season’s errors and Charles Leclerc eager to prove his vast talents, the foundations are built for a fantastic championship battle.

    Hamilton is at the peak of his powers and knows he is inching towards further history, however, Vettel will be relishing the prospect of a more consistent title challenge in what looks like a pacy and well-balanced SF90 machine.

    But the car can only count for so much, and this is where the confidence and composure to deal with pressure situations comes into the mix. It’s a long, gruelling season of 21 races, and like 2017 and 2018, the championship pendulum will swing in different directions for various spells of the year.

    The second half of the season tends to suit Hamilton better, so Vettel needs to build up a commanding lead early on or try to match him in races where he has previously been unsuccessful. On tracks like Russia, Austria and France, the German is yet to win.

    It will be a season that captures our attention and imagination for many months ahead, but Hamilton is that once in a generation driver, and should have enough brilliance to scoop a coveted sixth crown that will see him move within one of the legendary Michael Schumacher’s record.

    It all starts in Melbourne this weekend.

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