With his new Mercedes tenure having now officially begun, Lewis Hamilton says he wants to turn the Brackley based team into a F1 frontrunner.
After six years with McLaren, the 2008 world champion has joined the famous German marque in legend Michael Schumacher’s place.
"Doing better than Schumi?" he is quoted by the Italian broadcaster Mediaset.
"I don’t look at it that way. He is a legend, unattainable. Looking to the future, I would be very happy if I can help Mercedes to compete with the top teams," said Hamilton.
The 27-year-old Briton has had an up-and-down F1 career so far: acknowledged as among the very best, but often embroiled in personality scandals.
"Each of us has a personality," said Hamilton, "and so you have to be yourself and ignore what people say.
"The important thing is to be consistent," he added. "Sometimes you worry, sometimes you don’t. What I’m looking for now is stability in my life."
As for on-track exploits, Hamilton said: "The pass I like the most is Hakkinen on Schumacher at the end of the straight at Spa (in 2000). But I’ve also done some that I’m proud of," he smiled.