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Q&A: Lewis Hamilton

Thursday 28th February 2008


McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton chats about the team's pre-season test programme, the MP4-23 and his recent trip to Russia.

Q: You are coming to the end of the winter testing programme - how has it gone so far?
LH Winter testing has gone really smoothly. We have had steady reliability and the car is feeling good. We have had some great testing days, easily covering the mileage and getting confidence in the car.

Q: Today was your last session with the car before Australia, how was the week?
LH We had another productive day on track in Barcelona. It has been a good week, in addition to the test development programme we have been working with the race team on getting back up to speed with activities such as pit stops. As just said the car is feeling good, but as always we still have work to do. A Formula 1 car is under continuous evolution, and when you look back at how far we have come since the MP4-23 first hit the track in January, it is encouraging. The work doesn't stop for anyone just because testing has concluded.

Q: Have you fully adapted to driving without traction control?
LH Yes, falling back into my old style of driving has been pretty easily. I drove without traction control for many years, so it is what I am used to - there is nothing new.

Q: What areas of the car are you concentrating on in testing at the moment?
LH Currently, we are focusing on looking after the tyres which means managing them as best we can for long race distances. On top of that we are improving our aero performance.

Q: Do you have a favourite test track, perhaps a circuit that enables you to thoroughly test each part of the car?
LH Different tracks do different things - you have slow speed corner tracks and high speed corner tracks. High speed corner circuits, like Barcelona, enables you to test the down force and really tell the difference between wings and different components. And then at Jerez, you can test the grip and the balances in the low speed corners.

Q: How is the MP4-23 different to the MP4-22?
LH I can't really describe how it is different - it is just better. It has got more down force, more grip, more power. We have got a good car but we still have some work to do.

Q: How is your winter fitness programme going and what areas are you concentrating on?
LH My fitness programme has been even better this year. Fitness wise we are focusing on endurance and cardio - strength in arms and shoulders as this is where you probably struggle the most. I am also making sure the neck is strong enough.

Q: Do you enjoy training everyday; how do you find ways to keep it interesting?
LH I am lucky in that I have an interesting trainer. Training on your own is often quite boring, but when you have someone as enthusiastic as my trainer, someone who you can just talk and make jokes with, it makes it more interesting.

Q: Visitors to McLaren.com would love to know how you spend a typical day in this pre-season time?
LH I don't really have a typical day - I have busy marketing days, busy testing days and I have training days. A typical training day consists of getting up early and going for a run and then coming back for good breakfast, I have to be careful of what I eat, so this is very important. I then usually check my emails and then go to the gym, or we might do a sport or go swimming. I have lunch then we may go for a long bike ride and then I come back and go to the gym for an hour or two. By then your day is over and you are exhausted.

Q: You spent last week in Russia, can you tell us what you were up to during this week?
LH Last week I was in Russia for a Mobil 1 event, but on the way we stopped off to attend the Laureus awards, which was a very special experience. I was presented with the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award - I was honoured. I then had a day to rest before we headed to Moscow to attend the Mobil 1 event, which was a really great day.

Source: McLaren Mercedes




Q&A: Heidfeld and Kubica

Thursday 28th February 2008


BMW drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica share their thoughts on pre-season testing, F1's new rules and each other...

Q: Did you enjoy the winter break?
Heidfeld: "I'm pleased to say the winter break was not actually that long thanks to the regular testing we've been doing. And in between times I've been getting through some intensive fitness training. I've got a small studio at home where I can do special exercises aimed at building up the muscles in the neck, arms and torso. I managed to spend some time with my family over Christmas and the New Year, which I really enjoyed, of course."
Kubica: "My winter break was pretty similar. I also spent a few days with my family and chilled out a bit. And, like Nick, I stepped up my fitness training, which included joining the team for the training camp in St Moritz. I mainly focused my training on the endurance side."

Q: Coming out of the winter break, how hard is it to motivate yourself again for testing ahead of the new season?
Kubica: "It's not an issue. For me the short break was enough to recharge my batteries. I also like being in the car for testing. Plus there was the added incentive - and honour - of being the first person to drive the new BMW Sauber F1.08 on the track."
Heidfeld: "As far as I'm concerned, the winter break could have even been a bit shorter. I love being in the car and look forward to every opportunity to drive it. All in all, I would prefer it if we tested less and raced more often. Almost five months without a race is just too long, if you ask me."

Q: With winter testing complete, how do you see things shaping up?
Heidfeld: "Even for us as drivers it has been a long time since it was this difficult to say how the F1 teams stand against each other. The testing results of the big teams have simply been too variable to form an opinion. As for us, we have made huge progress since the roll-out in Valencia."
Kubica: "The engineers took a certain amount of risk and have entered new territory in some areas with the F1.08. One of the consequences of this is that we were not quite where we hoped to be at the start of winter testing. But since the roll-out everybody in the team - and that means both the testing crew and the guys back at the plants - has been working at full steam, seven days a week. These efforts have paid off; we have made great steps forward and registered improvements in all areas. And I'm sure we are still far from exhausting the full potential of the F1.08."

Q: How has the absence of traction control and engine braking control affected you?
Kubica: "In testing we noticed that the driver has a big influence over tyre wear. And that applies to an even greater extent the higher the temperature of the asphalt. Plus, it is also extremely important to avoid straying from the ideal line as much as possible. In the past, we could rely on the traction control to keep everything in check if we went off line, and even if you had a bit of a slide you would only lose a relatively small amount of time. Without traction control the driver has to take his foot off the accelerator to avoid the risk of spinning. And that means you lose more time, of course. As a whole, though, it is not exclusively a question of driving style. The car also has to make optimal use of the tyres."
Heidfeld: "All the drivers have been really keen to find out how the latest Formula One cars react without traction control, and we have all adapted our driving style accordingly - after all that's part of our job. I also had the opportunity to try the car out in the wet in testing. I have to say that it was really fun to drive without traction control. The challenge for the drivers is greater, and that's the way I like it."

Q: In what ways does your team-mate get on your nerves?
Heidfeld: "When he's quicker than me. But that's obvious, isn't it?"
Kubica: "I would not like to be in a situation where I didn't have a good relationship with my team-mate. Luckily Nick and I work very well together."

Q: What personal aims have you set yourselves for 2008?
Kubica: "I will always give 100 percent and am looking to finish in the points on a consistent basis."
Heidfeld: "I'm aiming to squeeze the maximum from both myself and the BMW Sauber F1.08, to minimise mistakes and to keep on developing as a driver."

Q: The first night race in F1 history does not take place until September (in Singapore), but the idea has already been floated of holding further races in the dark. What do you think of this possibility?
Heidfeld: "I'm generally a fan of all things new, so I can't wait to see how it all works in Singapore and what the atmosphere is like. The plan is to use artificial light to illuminate the race track as if it were daylight. So there is no comparison with the Le Mans 24-hour race, where I once drove in the dark."
Kubica: "I don't think there will be any problems if the weather plays along. We will probably notice hardly any difference to a normal race. But things might turn out rather differently if it rains, as reflections from the floodlights could have a negative effect on visibility. However, I'm sure that the FIA has planned for that eventuality as well and will ensure that the race takes place safely."

Q: And looking ahead to Melbourne...
Kubica: "I'm a fan of street circuits, so I also like going to Melbourne. I've always been very quick there in the past. But I also like the atmosphere in the city, and the friendly, motorsport-mad fans there. At any rate, I can hardly wait for practice to start for the Australian Grand Prix. It will finally put an end to the weeks of speculation caused by winter testing."
Heidfeld: "The opening race of the season is always something special. I like the Melbourne circuit, as it has a character very much of its own - a cross between a street circuit and a permanent race track. As the circuit is not constantly used for racing, grip levels are extremely low particularly during the initial practice sessions. With no traction control or engine braking control it will certainly be a big challenge. Added to which, the weather has sometimes come up with the odd surprise in the past. For me, there is the extra attraction that Australia is my favourite travel destination, and I'll have a couple of days' holiday there before the race. Basically, I'm just really looking forward to the season finally getting underway."

Source: BMW Sauber