Hamilton eager to learn from Qatar MotoGP visit

Lewis Hamilton wants to use his Qatar MotoGP trip as a learning experience for his preparations ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 season by listening in to how the Petronas Yamaha Sepang squad operate.

The reigning F1 world champion confirmed Crash.net's earlier report that he will visit MotoGP next weekend for the season opener at the Losail International Circuit as a guest of Petronas, title sponsor to his Mercedes F1 team as well as the new satellite Yamaha MotoGP squad run by SRT.

Having ridden a Yamaha R1M superbike alongside WorldSBK starts Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark at Jerez last December, Hamilton will head to the opening MotoGP round hoping to take in the full experience and learn from how the Petronas Sepang team operates.

“I’ve always been in love with the bikes, I am really excited,” Hamilton said on the final day of F1 pre-season testing in Barcelona. “I don’t think I am going to see the full racing but I am really intrigued to see how the riders operate and how different qualifying is compared to our qualifying.

“Plus the feedback, the things they are working on, I will use it as an experience to learn a little bit.

“Don’t look too much into that I am too old to do MotoGP I’m not bounce proof like young Marquez but I will still have some fun at some point.”

Hamilton, who has previously been keen to test out a MotoGP bike, feels adding to his racing knowledge with different experiences can help him remain sharp as he gears up for the F1 opening round in Australia one week after his trip to Qatar.

New Petronas riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo told Crash.net they are happy to offer Hamilton the chance to achieve his MotoGP dream of trying a bike.

Such a test would only be possible after the F1 season is over, but Hamilton will get a close look at the new Petronas Yamaha team next weekend.

“I am always full throttle on the bike as it is the only way I know how to go,” he said. “But when I did the superbike day I wasn’t able to get to full throttle the same as the superbike riders.

“So there is a lot to learn as it is a completely different style of riding compared to driving. It is an exciting one to learn.”

Hamilton confirmed he will head to the Paris fashion week immediately after F1 pre-season testing in Barcelona before his trip to the MotoGP opener which takes place in Qatar on March 8-10.