Hamilton expects tough title defence

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A raft of new regulations come into force for 2009 as the sport's rule-makers seek to improve the show.

"With the new regulations it's going to make it very tough to win the championship again," said Hamilton, on a visit with McLaren boss Ron Dennis to the American headquarters of team sponsor Mobil.

The cars are due to look aerodynamically different, slick tyres are being re-introduced, while teams will have the option to use the new Kinetic Energy Recovery System.

In conjunction with the new cost-saving measures, such as a ban on in-season testing, Hamilton fully appreciates how hard it will be to clinch back-to-back championships.

He added: "We have less testing obviously, but I think as a team we are in a position to pull together and make a difference in some other way.

"But everyone's in the same boat, and we don't know who's going to be quick.

"Surely we're going to be at the front, with Ferrari maybe, BMW, but you never know. Maybe there's going to be a fourth team up there with us."

Hamilton concedes the changes are simply presenting a different challenge to all at McLaren.

"It's amazing how many different things happen in a year," added Hamilton. "But all we're thinking about is how we can continue in the sport, put on a good show, to move forward and continue to win as a team."