Hamilton excited by “great” early 2021 F1 car data

Lewis Hamilton has been left encouraged by the prospect of Formula 1’s new car designs for 2021 after viewing “great” early data produced from simulations.

F1 cars are set for a dramatic overhaul post-2020 in line with the sport’s next major regulation change, with early wind tunnel images recently released of the latest iteration of the new-look vision for 2021 and beyond.

The five-time world champion has been among a number of drivers to attend meetings with F1's rule-makers in recent months as discussions about the future landscape of the sport and next set of regulations continue.

And after witnessing early data projections, Hamilton said he is convinced that cars will be much easier to follow from 2021, with attempts to improve the quality of wheel-to-wheel action at the forefront of the latest plans.

“I think it’s been a huge step for us to be involved,” Hamilton said about being better represented in recent meetings over the 2021 rules shake-up.

“It’s a big step for all the drivers to be united and I think we’re building a new and better relationship with the the GPDA and the FIA communicating and I think they’ve been quite open.

“I think there are things that we ask about and they are like ‘we can’t change it now’ but there’s no such thing as can’t for an engineer.

“There’s lots of things that can be improved but the thing they did show us the other day is that the amount that you lose behind a car today and what their simulations say that we will lose in terms of downforce behind the new car.

“I think it looks great, so I’m working as hard as I can to make sure I can stay around for then and get to drive those newer cars.

“And naturally we don’t want the cars to be slower either – I think they said they’re two or three seconds off so hopefully we can push that forward but some things like weight, we don’t want the car to get heavier but it is going in that direction.

“But I know they’re working really hard at it.”

Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas echoed Hamilton’s views, adding: “It’s a good start that we are closer to them and they are actually sharing the ideas with us.

“I think we have a pretty good understanding when it comes to driving and racing and we’re always happy to give our opinion and I think we have the best understanding what makes us happy and what makes the racing better.

“It means happier fans and so on so for sure it’s nice to be involved and hope that that really continues.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc believes it is important that all drivers are “united” in the same aim to help improve the spectacle.

“I think it’s very important that, as has been said, we are all united for the same goals,” he said.

“I think our ideas are clear, what we want and it’s important that we are involved because we just feel things that sometimes on the data doesn’t look the same way. It’s a good step.”