LEWIS HAMILTON wants a five-team tussle for the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship.
The 2022 season was dominated by Red Bull, who triumphed in 17 of the 22 races.
This led to Max Verstappen romping to the title, with Red Bull easily winning the constructors championship too.
Hamilton’s Mercedes showed signs of life towards the end of the campaign, with team-mate George Russell winning the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Ferrari demonstrated potential earlier in the campaign, and Hamilton also wants McLaren and Alpine to join the fight at the front of the grid.
The Brit, who recently celebrated his 38th birthday, said: “I’d like to think that we’re going to be the ones that are competing with them and being able to beat them [Red Bull] again, I do believe that for sure.
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“But I really hope that Ferrari are strong in the following years. They’ve definitely had a difficult year but there’s been some strong signs, obviously, that you’ve seen this year, which has been nice to see.
“And it’s been nice to see Ferrari doing well again.
“So, I hope that it’s more than a two-way battle next year. I hope there’s at least three of us.
“If not, surprisingly, maybe more. Like, why can’t McLaren be there? We’ll see.
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“Or even Alpine has been doing amazing. So, we’ll see.”
McLaren ditched Aussie Daniel Ricciardo, who will now back-up Verstappen and Carlos Sainz at Red Bull, for his compatriot from Down Under Oscar Piastri.
While Alpine replaced Aston Martin-bound veteran Fernando Alonso with Pierre Gasly – who will partner his fellow Frenchman Esteban Ocon.
Hamilton has 12 months remaining on his Mercedes contract, and is not close to agreeing to an extension.
The 2023 campaign will get underway in Bahrain on March 5.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
