Hamilton hits out at F1 decision makers

Lewis Hamilton has not been impressed with Formula One rules changes “for many, many years” and has called for drivers to have more of a say in key decisions.

It was revealed on Wednesday that a new elimination-style qualifying format could be introduced to the sport in the opening race of the season in Australia next month.

A raft of new regulations are also set to come into effect next year and world champion Hamilton has had his say on the proposed revamp of F1, while also expressing his dissatisfaction over decisions that have been made in years gone by.

“I don’t think the [current] regulations are fine, even if there were five teams battling,” said the Mercedes driver.

“I like a different kind of car. I don’t have all the answers, I just would have a preferred type of car.

“I love a V12 and the big, wider tyres. I saw a picture of an old Ferrari when the sidepods were super-low. It must have been the mid-80s, and it just looked so cool with the wide track, wide wishbones and the slick tyres.

“Those were the days. I just loved the way the car looked then, and the stick shift. Those are the things I like, but we can never be there again.

“But 2008 was a great year where we were fighting against another team. Since then we’ve had some battles, but we need more of that. I don’t know what the answer is. Whatever decisions they’ve been making have not been right for some time.”

The Brit sees no reason why the drivers should be consulted more when regulations are discussed.

He added: “I don’t agree with the changes that are made, and have been made for many, many years. We just live with it,

“I think the drivers should be consulted, and I’m sure they’ve been involved more in recent decisions – not the ones that have just been made.

“But we do have a feeling in the car, some ideas of what could be better. We do know what is not good. For those who have been driving 10 to 15 years and have been through all the different rule changes, they know which ones worked and which ones didn’t.

“So I would say it [a lack of dialogue with decision makers] is a bad thing.”