Hamilton fires 2019 warning to Leclerc and Gasly

Thursday, 08 november 2018, 08:15 , by Matthew Scott

Five-time world drivers' champion Lewis Hamilton has warned Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly that there is "no substitute" for his title-winning experience as he prepares to face two fresh challengers at the head of the Formula 1 field in 2019.

Both Ferrari and Red Bull have looked to the future in replacing Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo respectively.

Much is expected especially of Leclerc, who will become Ferrari's second-youngest driver in their Formula 1 history next year, with Ferrari hoping to once again bring the fight to Hamilton, after Sebastian Vettel fell just short this year.

Hamilton is ready to take on the fresh faces in the title fight, however, and predicts that he and Vettel may actually hold a distinct advantage over the rest of their rivals.

"I welcome the competition, naturally," he said.

"I do see a little bit of myself within them, being at their age I had the same kind of 'eye of the tiger', I would say, I guess.

"But I guess now it is a little bit different for me being that I am one of the older drivers.

"But I feel like I still have that hunger that I guess that they are coming in with. But backed with experience which - I don't know how you guys feel in your job - but in my job experience - and I am pretty sure it is the same in yours - there is no substitute for that.

"So I hope that speaks mountains next year."

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