Hamilton is worrying more about Leclerc and Verstappen than Vettel for 2019

Lewis Hamilton believes he will have to work harder next season as young guns Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc attempt to chase him down. This season saw a battle with Sebastian Vettel as Hamilton came out on top to win his fifth World Championship.

Going into the winter break, Hamilton claims his Mercedes team have work to do. In an interview on F1i, the Brit easily finds areas in need of improvement.

"We will definitely look at the season at the end of the year and there are always areas you look at. We didn't win every single race, there were some mishaps at the beginning of the year and there is always room to improve.

"So I expect to do that and that's my expectation in myself. I have got to work to do over this winter and there will be a slightly amended approach."

Hamilton goes on to suggest who he'll be fighting against next season. With Charles Leclerc moving to Ferrari and Red Bull joining forces with Honda, he singles out two potential threats.

"Of course, you have to dig deep because you have these young kids that are coming. Leclerc at Ferrari will be hungry to prove a point and you've got Max who is still hungry to prove a point, so I have to make sure I am still there [at the top of my game]," Hamilton said.