Hamilton says repeating as Formula One champion 'very tough'
CBSSports.com wire reports
MADRID, Spain -- Lewis Hamilton believes cost-cutting changes will make it "very tough" for him to repeat as Formula One champion next year.
Governing body FIA and the F1 teams agreed to a series of measures for 2009 last Friday, which include longer-lasting engines, limits on expensive testing and cheaper, off-the-shelf engines for smaller teams.
"I don't think it will make it easier," Hamilton said in a conference call from the United States on Tuesday. "With the new regulations it's going to make it very tough to win the championship again."
The sweeping changes come as automakers reel from the global financial crisis. Honda pulled out of F1 this month after Super Aguri quit in April. FIA said the first batch of changes for 2009 will help larger teams cut costs by about one-third over 2008.
"We have less testing obviously but I think we as a team are in a position to pull together and make a difference in some other way," Hamilton said. "But everyone's in the same boat."
Changes to be introduced after next season will be even more radical with races maybe shortened to save money and refueling banned -- which could dramatically alter the spectacle for fans.
Hamilton's McLaren team boss Ron Dennis called it a "challenging period."
"It's amazing how many different things happen in a year but all we're thinking about is how we can continue in the sport and continue to put on a good show," Hamilton said. "How we can move forward and continue to win as a team."
Hamilton missed out on becoming the first rookie champion by one point last year, but rebounded to become the youngest F1 champion at 23 in November -- by a single point.
Hamilton overtook Toyota's Timo Glock on the final bend at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix to finish fifth and secure the title after Ferrari's Felipe Massa had won his home race as he needed to.
Hamilton expects more of the same close racing next season despite the dramatic changes.
"We don't know who's going to be quick, surely we're going to be at the front, with Ferrari maybe, BMW, but you never know," he said. "Maybe there's going to be a fourth team up there with us."
Hamilton added that becoming F1's first black champion "was hard" because of having "to break down the barrier and it was not easy but we got there, and I have been accepted very well into the sport."
Balancing increased commitments from sponsors, the media and fans was turning into the toughest part of the job.
"There are always going to be pressures there and it's how you deal with them, it's how you rise above it," the Briton said.
Hamilton was in the United States to celebrate his F1 championship with McLaren Mercedes partner Mobil 1, and remained hopeful that North America would be back on the calendar in the near future.
"(They're) great memories for myself," said Hamilton, who won his very first GP at Indianapolis last year. "It's always an amazing show when I go there. It's just a buzz, really. I hope we can get it back at some stage, I would love to race there again."
