How a Mercedes factory visit left Hamilton 'inspired'

Lewis Hamilton has opened up on an “inspiring” visit to Mercedes' Formula 1 factory as the squad looks to recover its form.

Since the start of last year when new technical regulations were introduced, Mercedes has been performing on the backfoot, with just one win coming in the ground effects era in the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix for George Russell.

It's been almost two years since Hamilton stood on the top step of the podium, at the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP, as he endures the longest winless streak of his F1 career and faces the prospect of a second straight winless season.

Despite the struggles, Hamilton, who is closing in on Sergio Perez for second in the Drivers', has committed his future to the German manufacturer, recently penning an extension until the end of 2025.

As the team aims to return to its title-winning ways in the coming years, Hamilton has revealed that he is finding motivation from the Mercedes workers at the factory.

“The other day, I was in the aero department - it's clear that no one's happy with where we are and how we've done this year,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365.

“But it was massively encouraging to see how driven everyone was.

“Everyone’s heads were down everyone was at their stations and clearly pushing incredibly hard. For me, that was inspiring to see.”

Hamilton also detailed the impact that he is having on the team regarding the development process

“I’m not building or designing the car, I can't go and sit at a computer and help them redesign it,” he said. “The best thing I can do is deliver on the weekends.

“I do continue to have lots of meetings back at the factory on so many different topics about the car, whether it's ride quality, whether it's suspension, whether it's steering, whether it's about tyres, whatever it may be.

“We'll continue to have that. And I think we have a better process than we've ever had before.

“So it's much more engaging for both George [Russell] and I, we often have meetings where we're both in that room together.

“We’re able to really deep dive on any questions that the engineers, who don't potentially get to come to the Grands Prix, if they've had any questions they can ask.

“We’ll continue to do that to the end of the year. And other than that, it's really just about we’ll give it all the way to the end of the year, and then we've got to let the guys go and do what they do best.”