A rejuvenated Lewis Hamilton says he is more dedicated than ever at 41, training harder than any rival as he enjoys a strong start with Ferrari.

A rejuvenated Lewis Hamilton says he is more committed to Formula One “than ever” aged 41.

The seven-time world champion believes he trains harder than any other driver on the grid.

Hamilton has made a strong start to the season with Ferrari, sitting fourth in the championship after two races. He is 18 points behind leader George Russell of Mercedes.

The Briton claimed his first podium for Ferrari with a third-place finish in China. He said he had been putting in the hard yards ahead of this week’s Japanese Grand Prix.

“I was in Tokyo between this race and the last race, I’ve run like 100 kilometres,” Hamilton said. “I know that none of the drivers I’m racing against have trained as hard as I am and giving it what I am, especially at my age.”

He added that he loves still having the drive to push himself. Hamilton boasted he was returning to his hotel after a morning run just as other drivers were getting up.

“The commitment is there, more than ever,” he said. “I dedicate absolutely everything I have to this challenge.”

Hamilton endured a nightmare first season with Ferrari last year, finishing sixth in the championship. He suffered the indignity of becoming the first driver eliminated from Q1 at three consecutive grands prix.

His fortunes have changed markedly with new regulations and car designs this season. These have produced noticeably more overtaking in races than in recent years.

Hamilton got the better of teammate Charles Leclerc after a titanic tussle in Shanghai. He said he found battling drivers “much more fun”.

“That’s how racing should be,” he said. “It should be back and forth, it shouldn’t be one move is done and then that’s it.”

 The Sun Malaysia