Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has confirmed, as expected, that the new generation Formula 1 cars are much more physical to drive and has the bumps and bruises to prove it after two half days of testing at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
Hamilton told reporters after his second stint in the W08, “I am finding the car is much more physical to drive than in the past. It is so much faster through the corners.”
“The force you feel on your body and on your neck is much higher. I’ve got bruises and bumps where I’ve never really had them before.”
“Physically I feel fine though, as it’s only half a day of testing. I’ve trained enough over the winter to be ready for more.”
Hamilton and his new teammate Valtteri Bottas are the only two drivers sharing duties during the course of the four days in Spain.
Hamilton also expects drivers to be pushing for longer in 2017, with Pirelli seemingly realising its target of producing more durable rubber.
The triple F1 World Champion also had praise for the wider Pirelli tyres, “These new tyres seem to be lasting a lot better than they did previously, so I think you can push them more and fight harder, lap after lap. A good step in the right direction.”
Hamilton completed 169 during the time he has spent in the new car, ending day one fastest of all and day two second on the timing screens.