Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari next year, and the Mercedes F1 driver has admitted that he is watching what the Scuderia achieves this year, especially with the impressive progress it has made at the end of the year.
“I'm very interested in my future, of course. And so, in that regard, I keep an eye, yes. I observe everything that happens” said the seven-time world champion about the Scuderia.
He also admits to being impressed by the team's progress since the start of the season: “Of course. Throughout the year, at the start of the year, if you look somewhere like China, Red Bull was a second ahead.”
“And it's pretty incredible to see the rise of McLaren and then Ferrari in the last few races, to see their progress and to try to keep an eye on each other's cars and what they're changing and what they add. You know, we watch all the on-board videos, all the drivers.”
“And we always try to see where we can save time. Some cars react differently, better or worse in certain areas. And you try to find how you can find that in your balance or make the team develop the car in that direction.”
Hamilton admits he is a little frustrated watching the title fight from a distance, but he expects to see Mercedes continue their progress next year: “Of course, that's what we would all have liked, to be in the fight for the championship. That's what everyone is working towards.”
“We knew at the start of the year that it would be difficult from the start, and we didn't expect to have the success that we had. Obviously, at Silverstone, everyone worked very hard to get this result, and I’m incredibly grateful to the team.”
“But yes, I know this team very well, and I know that the results and the position we have this year will only encourage them to work even harder to have a better car next year.”
“And no, I don't really look at what's happening in front, unless I'm in the battle or behind, like in the last race. I saw them for a second, then they disappeared. But yes, I focuses on trying to do the best job possible.”
