Lewis Hamilton is under no allusions that it will be harder to defend his title next year when radical cost-cutting measures are introduced.
Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, approved a raft of measures to respond to the global financial crisis last week, including a total ban on in-season testing as well as major restrictions on engine and aerodynamic development.
Pointing to the testing ban in particular, Hamilton said that the new regulations will not make his life any easier when it comes to defending his world championship.
“With the new regulations it’s going to make it very tough to win the championship again,” the British driver is quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
“We have less testing obviously, but I think we as a team are in a position to pull together and make a difference in some other way. But everyone’s in the same boat.”
Hamilton and McLaren are determined to respond to and overcome the challenges laid down by the new regulations however.
“It’s amazing how many different things happen in a year but all we’re thinking about is how we can continue in the sport and continue to put on a good show,” he added. “How we can move forward and continue to win as a team.”
“We don’t know who’s going to be quick, surely we’re going to be at the front, with Ferrari maybe, BMW, but you never know,” he said. “Maybe there’s going to be a fourth team up there with us.”
