‘Hamilton can win 2015 title by half-way stage’

Anthony Hamilton believes that his son Lewis could wrap up the 2015 Drivers’ Championship by the middle of the season.

Hamilton came from behind to beat his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to the 2014 title in Abu Dhabi after a year-long tussle, and his father thinks it may not be so close this year.

He told Sky Sports: “You never know but I think if you look at what Lewis went through last year, we started the year where we felt that if everything had gone well, by mid-year he probably would have won the championship.

“I think the same thing could potentially happen this year- if he starts well, if the car is good, performance is good, I think Lewis could win the championship again this year.”

Hamilton did warn that he expects Rosberg to be a much tougher challenge this season.

He said: “I am expecting 150% extra from Nico this year. I think he’ll come with a different mind-set, a different approach, a different understanding of Lewis and how to beat Lewis- because it is difficult to beat Lewis, he’s a mercenary when it comes down to it.

“I think Nico has probably gone back to the drawing board and had a re-think, because no-on is unbeatable, you've just got to find the right way.”

Hamilton and Rosberg will first do battle in Australia in March.

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