Hamilton: I don't play mind games, I just drive faster

Current Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted that he actively wants to have issues with Sebastian Vettel again similar to their clashes last season, as it will mean that Mercedes are performing at a high level alongside Ferrari at the top of the rankings.

Last year, Hamilton and Vettel were the main contenders for the title and their rivalry came to a head in Baku when the Ferrari man deliberately crashed his wheels into the side of the Brit's Mercedes, which resulted in a 10-second stop-go penalty for Vettel.

Hamilton has predicted that the tension could become even worse this campaign, but denied he likes to get involved in mind games.

“You would have to expect that it could be worse,” Hamilton said.

“Always expect the worst and hopefully it will be better. Hopefully, if I am performing at my best, then there will be issues - because [Ferrari] will be upset about it.”

"Honestly, I don't play mind games," Hamilton added.

"I just drive faster."

The Englishman received criticism over the Christmas period for teasing his nephew for wearing a dress, and subsequently stopped his social media presence. He has since returned, but admits that he will take a more careful and strategic approach to this area of his career.

"We had already planned to start a clean slate at the beginning of this year. It just so happened it was an opportunistic time to change it,” Hamilton continued.

"Moving forward, there is a balance you have to strike. I have been very open with my life for several years now and it is always difficult make a change because I quite like being open.

"But we are in a strange time in the world where things are magnified more than in previous years. It is a critical time for the world.

"I will continue to show what I am doing. It is just being a little bit more strategic in what I do show and don't show. It is great. It is again still a gateway to be able to connect with my fans which I am not able to do on a race weekend.

"It will continue to be a part of my life but how deep I go we will see."