Hamilton says 'psychological battle' is for the 'weak-minded'

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Lewis Hamilton is oblivious to the comments of those talking up Mercedes' chances of success in Melbourne, insisting those games are for the "weak-minded".

Mercedes emerged from pre-season testing as the favourite to take top spoils in Australia, the Silver Arrows outfit demonstrating that its W11 is the class of the 2019 field.

Valtteri Bottas topped the timesheet at the end of the two-week test in Barcelona, and Mercedes' rivals are predicting the Brackley squad and Hamilton will pick up at Albert Park where they left off in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year.

But the six-time world champion is ignoring the buzz and forecasts.

"I don’t pay attention to anybody or to anyone else through testing," he told Sky Sports.

"We literally just focus on our job and I have no idea what other people have been saying."

Webber expects Hamilton and Mercedes to 'strip down' rivals

Hamilton says he's been around the F1 block once too often to take the bait and succumb to an overwhelming sense of optimism purposefully instilled by his rivals.

"I’ve been here a long, long time so I’m aware of people bigging us up and talking themselves down so that they can potentially overachieve unexpectedly or whatever," he added.

“It doesn’t make a difference. Some people think that it’s a psychological battle but it’s really not.

"Only for the weak-minded maybe but it doesn’t affect us whatsoever."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.