Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton hopes that his former McLaren team next year will be more competitive after three very difficult years with Honda.
In 2007, Hamilton debuted with McLaren when his team-mate was double and reigning world champion Fernando Alonso, and after winning the title in 2008. British driver moved to Mercedes at the end of 2012 and won three more titles in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Since Hamilton had gone to Mercedes, McLaren did not win at all, and they were on the podium only once, in the first race of 2014.
In 2018, McLaren will use Renault’s engines and hope to fight for the podium and victories with a very strong Alonso-Vandoorne driver line-up.
“I had a great fight with Fernando at the end of the season in Mexico,” said Hamilton.
“I’d love to have a lot more to fight with him, in more equitable terms, because they have gone through such a difficult time.”
“I’m with McLaren since I was 13 and during qualifying I always watch where Fernando is and follow their progress.”
“McLaren has a natural place in my heart because I have achieved so much with them.”
“I really hope that next year will be successful for them and I really hope we will fight with them. McLaren deserves to be on top.”
“They are a fantastic team with incredible history. I’m incredibly proud of what Ron has done with the team and no matter who is in charge now, it will always be Ron’s team for me.”
“I hope that with the new power unit they’ll be close to us and that another incredible world champion will fight with us for the world championship.”
McLaren best race result in the last three years was a fifth place while in 2017 they finished in the ninth place in the constructor’s championship.
