Since 2014, Mercedes♏, Red Bull and Ferrari have dominated the sport with the likes of Racing Point, Alpine and AlphaTauri relying on fortuitous circumstances to take victories.

The new technical regu💜lations for 2022 combined with the cost cap is expected to help reduce the deficit between the top three teams an💜d the midfield. 

A significant gap of arou🔥nd one-second on average remains between the big three and Alpine - who led the midfield for much of last season.

Looking ahead𒁃 to the new season, Ham🍎ilton wants more than three teams fighting at the front.

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“I'd like to think that we're going to be the ones that are competin🌠g with them and being able to beat them [Red Bull] again, I do believe that for suಌre,” Hamilton said.

“But I really hope that Ferrꦏari are strong in the following years. They've definitely had a difficult year but there's been some strong signs, obviously, that you've seen this year, which has been nice to see. And it's been nice to see Ferrari doing well again. 

“So, I hope that it's more than a two-way battle next year. I hope there's aꦉt least three of us. If not, surprisingly, maybe more. Like, why can't McLaren be there? We'll see. Or even Alpinꦗe’s been doing amazing. So, we'll see.”

Hamilton endured his worst year yet in F1 as he slumped to sixth in the sta🐻ndings, failing to register a race win or pole position.

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Mercedes as a whole only managed third in ꦰthe constructors’ championship - their lowest finish since 2012.

The s🌄even-time world champion remains confident Mercedes can turn it around for the new season.

“We've got amazing support from the Daimler board who all like racing, [they'r𓆉e] passionate racers. And then I think it's the core group of people. There’s great communication throughout the organisation,” he a༒dded.

“Toto [Wolff] is vꦬery focused as a leader to really elevate people. I don't know any other leader that that I've worked with at least that that goes and says, ‘hey, how are things at home?

“How can I help support you better, so you have more time with your wife or your husband or with your partner,﷽ with your kids, so that you come to work and be happier and want t🎐o commit more?’”

“That’s who Toto is. So I think it's that, and because of that, th🌼ere's a real general hunger within the team.”