Hamilton excited by 'top secret' Mercedes F1 plan in coy Qatar GP interview

05 October 2023 , 16:53

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Lewis Hamilton joked about Mercedes 'top secret' car plans (Image: Sky Sports)

Lewis Hamilton was coy about Mercedes' 2024 Formula 1 car after a visit to the factory ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion was questioned about the trip as he spoke to the media on Thursday. Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz was especially keen to prise some information out of the Brit.

But Hamilton was keeping his cards close to his chest as he met Kravitz's question with a warm smile. "I can't tell you man, it's all top secret stuff!" the Mercedes racer joked.

And when asked specifically if he is encouraged by what he saw regarding the creation of his next F1 car, Hamilton spoke of the way he was inspired by the visit. "You go into the wind tunnel and it's always mega exciting," he said.

"You go in and there's new bits coming and stuff being tried all the time. What excites me is going into where the aerodynamics team is working away – that's what inspires me. Everyone's heads are down and everyone is doing their due diligence.

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"Everyone is unhappy with where we are and where we've been for the last couple of years. I know they're hungry and that, for me, I know these guys are chasing and doing everything they can. I'm able to then bring that into the weekend.

"No matter what shape [the car's bodywork] is looking like, I can't say that it's going to be fast. It's about the work that those guys are doing, and they know what they are doing. I have 100 percent faith in them and that they'll pull it together."

Hamilton comes into this race after an underwhelming weekend at Suzuka. Mercedes were unable to compete with their main rivals are were in damage limitation mode, scoring as many points as possible to avoid being caught up in the constructors' championship by Ferrari.

Such a task is rarely exciting for drivers, particularly those like the 38-year-old who, over the course of his career, has rarely been used to finishing outside the podium places. But whatever negative feelings he had about that weekend in Japan, Hamilton says the mood in the Mercedes camp has recovered.

"It's positive. I think everyone's just happy to be here," he added. "The weather is good. On Thursdays you've recovered from whatever difficult challenges you had in the previous race and come here with the optimism. One things we're really good at is turning up with an optimistic view."

Daniel Moxon