Mercedes Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton (right) of Britain and teammate Nico Rosberg of Germany unveil the new Mercedes F1 M06 car during its official presentation at the Jerez racetrack in southern Spain yesterday.

Reuters/Jerez, Spain

Nico Rosberg vowed ‘maximum attack’ in a new title battle with Formula One world champion team mate Lewis Hamilton yesterday as Mercedes unveiled their 2015 car before pre-season testing started in Jerez.
“I know the feeling of winning and of fighting for a championship after last year, but I also know the feeling of not winning in the end and I don’t want to repeat that,” said the German.
“It’s an extra boost and it gives me so much motivation for the year ahead.”
Rosberg, son of Finland’s 1982 champion Keke, won five races last year to Hamilton’s 11 and finished runner-up in a dominant season for his team and one that saw the drivers’ relationship tested to the limit.
Mercedes are again expected to set the pace, even if the cars have not changed dramatically since last year’s debut of the new V6 turbo hybrid power units and rivals hope to have closed the gap.
“It will be massively tough to repeat what we achieved in 2014 but we all want to keep that momentum going and to dominate the sport for many years to come,” said Rosberg.
“We know the opposition will be right there, so we have to keep pushing flat out to have any chance of doing that. Nothing is for certain but, whatever happens, I know it will be another great battle with Lewis.
“This year is the rematch for me and I’m massively motivated for it.”
Hamilton, now a double world champion after taking his first title with McLaren in 2008, agreed that there could be no complacency.
The Briton said he was also fired up for the season which starts in Australia on March 15.
“You hear about people who achieve a lot but then lose their focus and you wonder; at what point does it fade off? I’m grateful that the fire is still there in me,” he said.
“I think subconsciously the taste of success spurs me on. I like that feeling and I want to feel it again and again,” added the 30-year-old.
“I’m glad me and Nico had the battle we did last year. I love winning races but it just feels so much better when you have to fight for it. I just want to get back out there, race hard, be the best I can be and hopefully win some more.”

Red Bull launch new car in pursuit of Mercedes
LONDON:
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner wants to give Mercedes more of a run for their money in 2015 after launching the new RB11 on the season’s first day of testing in Jerez yesterday.
Sporting an unusual camouflage livery, the Red Bull completed more laps in the first hour on track than they managed on the first day of a disastrous first test last season.
That was a sign of things to come for the four-time constructors’ champions as despite finishing second they were nearly 300 points behind Mercedes, for whom Lewis Hamilton sealed his second world championship.
“Our target is simple: to close down the gap to Mercedes yet further,” said Horner.
“We were the only team other than Mercedes to win a grand prix in 2014 and we won three with Daniel Ricciardo. Our target is to close the gap down and put Mercedes under as much pressure as we possibly can.
“We know what we’re aiming at, we know what we need to achieve and I believe that with the RB11, with the drivers we have and with the new structures put in place we should be able to do that.”
Ricciardo’s debut season with the team was the bright spark in 2014 as he beat out four-time world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel to finish third in the drivers’ standings.
With Vettel having moved on to Ferrari, 20-year-old Russian Daniil Kyvat will partner Ricciardo this season.
“It’s an exciting and dynamic line-up,” added Horner.
“We know the quality of Daniel following his performances last year and in Daniil we have an outstanding talent. The speed, commitment and determination he demonstrated were all the qualities we’re looking for.
“They’re young, hungry, they’re incredibly quick and I think they are going to push each other very hard throughout the year.”
Ricciardo was given the honour of driving the new car on Sunday and is determined to not rest on his laurels after a breakthrough year.
“I’m looking forward to driving the RB11 and I’m hanging out to get behind the wheel again. I hope it’s going to be a beast,” he said.


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