Lewis Hamilton has hit back at a jibe from ex-teammate Nico Rosberg, claiming it was his consistency which was crucial to him claiming a fourth world title last year.
Earlier this week, the 2016 champion said capitalising on dips in performance was the key to beating the Briton in a season-long fight, even suggesting doing so could keep him down for longer.
Those comments didn't sit well with the Mercedes driver, however, who issued a sharp rebuttal to Rosberg in Thursday's press conference ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
“I think there’s a lot of people that need to get headlines,” Hamilton said referring to the German. “The goal this year is to be even more consistent than last year. I think consistency is the reason I won the world championship last year.”
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The 33-year-old wasn't done with Rosberg though, referencing his decision to retire as champion when reiterating his happiness to still be competing in F1.
"It’s a privilege to be racing for the teams we’re racing for," he said. "Mercedes, with the heritage that they have, to be part of the sport that’s progressing and changing with the times and to be at the forefront of it competing against the best drivers that you can compete against.
"When you come to the end of your career you want to know that you competed against the best. There are those that bow out early, there are those that have won championships, maybe, that have not been as competitive.
"The ultimate goal is to be the best, you’re going to have to go up against the best. It’s been a great experience for me to race against Sebastian [Vettel], he’s got four world titles, the most of any other at the time.”
