Mercedes racer Lewis Hamilton has slammed the notion that he lacks technical knowledge and that his standing as Formula One's fastest and most instinctive driver somehow disadvantaged him from getting his head around the sport's most complex set of rule changes.
It is perceived in many quarters that Hamilton's teammate Nico Rosberg's stronger engineering background could give him the edge in the fight for the title.
According to The Guardian, ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, the British star, who is many's favourite to win the F1 world title for the second time, was piqued at the notion of his lack of 'technical know-how', saying that he is underestimated when it comes to his input on the technical side.
Angry at the suggestion that Rosberg is better than him when it comes to technical input, Hamilton said that he had helped redesign the car while he was at McLaren, adding that he won the F1 title in 2008 with a combination of 'sheer luck', speed and his technical input.
This year, drivers will have to comprehend many changes, including a new, smaller engine with plenty of torque, and a fuel restriction although Hamilton insisted that he is up for the challenge, saying that God has given him a gift.