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Lewis Hamilton revealed he is desperate to go toe to toe again with old foe Fernando Alonso for title glory.

The 28-year-old was speaking as he started work in earnest at his new team based in Brackley.

Even though the ex-McLaren racer has warned it would take time for things to gel completely at Mercedes fans are gagging to see the two giants of motorsport thrashing it out all year for a world title.

“It’s a duel I’d like to see as well,” said Hamilton.

"To have a car to compete with him again would be pretty exciting.”

Hamilton has been cautious with his predictions for the coming season but the Spaniard reckons his rival will not only win a racer – but more than one.

“I hope he’s right,” said Hamilton with a smile.

“For me it’s nice to have positive comments from Fernando.

“I’ve always regarded him highly. It’s just a real pleasure to see us moving forward, growing and having mutual respect for one another.

“I feel the same about him. He has done a phenomenal job for years.

“I’ve always had positive things to say about him.”

Mutual respect has grown as the years have rolled away from their bitter rivalry as teammates at McLaren when they wrecked each other’s qualifying sessions and clashed on the track.

Alonso quit the team but time has healed the years of animosity that has followed.

“A lot of stuff just got in the way of us back then and we said a lot of things in the heat of the moment. We talk a lot more now,” added Hamilton.

“Back then, after growing up a bit, you think that you’ve got to know your position and respect your elders.

“I was just grateful to have been given the position but thought; give me the same treatment and you’ll see what happens.

“Now I just say I don’t want any preferential treatment. I just want the same opportunity to show what I can do.”