Hamilton, who has agreed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes, had been on course to win a record-breaking eighth world title at the season-ending 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Abu Dhabi Grand Prix before race dire𒅌ctor Michael Masi bent th𓆏e rules to trigger a Safety Car restart on the final lap. 

Masi’s decision - which ultimately led to his sacking following an FIA review - handed 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen a s🃏ignificant advantage over Hamilton. The Red Bull driver used fresh soft🎃 tyres to overtake Hamilton, on old hards, during a final-lap shootout that determined the destiny of the world championship. 

Seven-time world champion Hamilton has remained winless in F1 ever sinc♎e and has been powerless to stop V🐼erstappen’s domination, with the Dutchman romping towards a third consecutive title in 2023. 

“I’m not really a revenge person,” Hamilton said ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix when asked if he sees winning an eighth title as revenge for t෴he manner in which he lost out in Abu Dhabi two years ago. 

“It’s not really about revenge. It’s not about redemption. That’s in the past. There’s nothing you can do about the past. But what we can do is work harder, be more pr♌ecise, be better moving forward. 

“I truly believe th🐠at, with this team we can win more worldꦫ championships and more races together. That’s where all my energy is going.” 

Hamilton insisted there was “no” doubt that 💞he wanted to continue with Mercedes ꦬand extend his tenure in F1. 

“I definitely wanted to continue,” he explained. “I think in life, when you have ups and downs🔴, like last year was a difficult yeꦛar. 

“I am pretty sure everyone was questioning whether they wanted to contin꧋ue because it’s tough at the top. It’s such a tough sport but that thought quickly goes away and you put your mind and energy into the best🍌 you can be and deal with the situations that you’re faced with. 

“I am really proud of what we’ve achieved👍 last year to get through it. Whilst we started on the wrong foot this year to have some really great results, we’re second in🀅 the constructors’ championship and the plan is to keep that and then close the gap to the guy ahead.”

He added: “We’re trying to win🌼 more world champio💜nships.

“The unfinished business is getting us back to the t🧸op, back to fight🧸ing for championships.

“We’ve been the most successful team in hi💯story, the most successful run in 10 years, but it’s been a challenge, the past year.

✃“It’s getting us back to where we be𒉰long, and where we operate in all those cylinders, which we’re seeing Red Bull are doing.”

While Hamilton said the goal for 2024 and 2🦂025 is simple, he acknowledged that it won’t be easy to achieve. 

“The goal is simple,” he said. “Setting the target is simple, achieving that 𒆙target is not. But it’s going to take all of us pulling together. 

“I think every team here and every driver is working so hard𒈔 to get on top of the aero package that they have and the team they hᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚave, and pull everyone together. 

“Having everyone firing on all cylinders is not easy in a large team and so that t﷽akes consistent work. Same from a driver’s perspective. Just making sure you’re performing every weekend. 

“I still, even thoug𒈔h I have been driv🎉ing and racing all these years, I feel like I can improve each weekend. I think that’s what I love about this sport. 

“You’re never going to reach per൩fection but the pursuit of perfection is one of the most ♏exciting things about what we do.”