Lewis Hamilton contradicts the criticism of his fellow drivers: The Ferrari driver draws a comparison to karting and says Formula 1 hasn’t been this good for a long time
In recent months, numerous drivers have criticized the new regulations of the premier class and claimed that everything they have learned in karting and the junior series is no longer useful in the new Formula 1 era. Record world champion Lewis Hamilton apparently takes a different view.
“I think if you go back to karting, it’s exactly the same,” the Briton drew a comparison ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix (full schedule). In the first races, the so-called “yo-yo racing” with multiple overtaking maneuvers was heavily criticized.
But in karting, this is everyday life, explains Hamilton. “People drive back and forth, back and forth. Nobody has ever described karting as yo-yo racing,” says the Ferrari driver, unable to understand the current criticism of Formula 1. “It’s the best form of racing.”
“And Formula 1 hasn’t been the best form of racing for a very long time,” says Hamilton, looking back over the past few years. “Of all the cars I’ve driven in 20 years, this is the only one where you can go after each other in fast corners without completely losing everything. You can stay on it.”
Hamilton: Racing “should go back and forth”
The previous DRS, which was replaced by overtake mode this year, was, according to Hamilton, just “a band-aid for the problem of not being able to get close enough in the corners. Now we have performance differences, but they are very small.”
“If you’re in front and the cars are behind you, they can keep up,” says the seven-time world champion, describing his impressions of the first races. “Personally, I find that much more entertaining because it’s the most overtaking maneuvers and the best duels I’ve probably had with Nico Rosberg since Bahrain many years ago.”
“This is how racing should be. It should be back and forth,” Hamilton makes his opinion clear. “It shouldn’t be that one maneuver happens and that’s it. I personally like that kind of racing. We just need all the other teams to catch up so that we get more duels like this between the teams.”
Lewis Hamilton “enjoys” the current Formula 1
While Hamilton would not go so far as to say that he “loves” the new Formula 1, he has really enjoyed the first races with the duels against the two Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli as well as against team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The Ferrari driver thus represents a view that many of his opponents cannot understand. “It’s definitely very different,” admits Hamilton. “I think a lot of drivers don’t enjoy it, but I don’t really know. Personally, I just enjoy it.”
“The car is lighter, a bit more agile, a bit more unusual, more fun to drive,” adds the Briton, who also admits, however, that he “absolutely doesn’t” like the performance of the drive unit and the whole energy management. “I’m really disappointed with that. But overall, I think it’s good for the sport.”
Hamilton knows: a good car is a prerequisite
“Everyone will have their opinion,” says Hamilton, who scored his first Ferrari podium in China. “If our car was suddenly difficult to drive, it might be less fun. But the fact is: we’re putting up a good fight with it and have the chance to fight for victories – and that’s always more fun.“
”If you’re not in this position and see that it’s unlikely to happen in the next few years, then it’s very difficult to stay motivated,” added the Briton, perhaps also with a view to Red Bull star Max Verstappen, who was heavily criticized.
“But that’s when you have to keep going and try anyway,” says Hamilton. “I tried to do that last year, even though we knew we weren’t progressing and had no chance of winning. It’s tough for everyone in the team, but I guess that’s just part of the sport.”
