Hamilton: “More exciting races”

Double title holder after his triumphs in 2014 and 2015, Lewis Hamilton, now a three-time world champion, will put his crown back on the line this weekend in Melbourne, Australia, to kick off the 2016 season on the Albert Park track.

Second most frequent driver on track during pre-season testing in Barcelona, ​​Catalonia, the Briton has full confidence in the new W07 Hybrid developed by Mercedes. “The car seems even better than last year, both in terms of performance and reliability, comments the former pilot McLaren. It means a lot. It has improved in all areas, and we can really be proud of what we accomplished over the winter. »

Although he seems to have an almost perfect weapon, Hamilton is nevertheless wary of his opponents, notably Ferrari, who dominated chronometrically the Catalan trials, but also the introduction of new rules which should, according to him, liven up the races. “The competition will be stronger than ever this year, specifies the 31-year-old pilot.

Changes to radio communication rules will have a big impact. Engineers can no longer give you reminders or hints that might change performance during the race, so you have to remember a lot more things. This even applies to strategy. It will be difficult, but it should make the races more exciting. »

Our AUTOhebdo Guide F1 2016 remains available for sale in digital version and on newsstands, and AUTOhebdo n°2054, with our review of the forces present, team by team, three days before the start of free testing in Australia, is already available in digital version, and on newsstands tomorrow.