Mercedes-backed Hamilton can roar to F1 title next season: Ross Brawn

London: Mercedes boss Ross Brawn reckons Lewis Hamilton can roar to the Formula One title next season.

The Brit has signed a three-year 60 million-pound deal with the German giants but has dismissed his chances of even winning a race in 2013. But team boss Brawn, who masterminded a title win in 2009 for Hamilton’s former McLaren team-mate Jenson Button, is confident the new man can do the same, The Sun reports. “I think Lewis was just playing things down. I’m sure in his heart he wants to win and set pole positions, but he understands the journey we must go on,” Brawn said. “We’re working very hard to give him and Nico Rosberg the opportunity to win and take pole positions. That’s our ambition and our objective. It’s obviously critical we improve from where we are. We’re going to try, even if we don’t hit all our objectives,” he added. According to the paper, Hamilton will replace Michael Schumacher at Mercedes, forcing the seven-time world champion to call time on his F1 career, and Brawn is looking forward to working with the 43-year-old’s replacement. He said: “We’re very excited about the prospect of working with Lewis. It’s going to be very interesting for all of us. I’m sure he’ll be different to Michael.” “The team are also very excited that we’re still able to have a driver of that calibre. As we get a stronger car, obviously the drivers will become even more critical for us,” he added. ANI