Hamilton reveals Mercedes development surprise: 'Maybe I shouldn't be doing that'

Lewis Hamilton has revealed how he is still playing an active role in development of the 2025 Mercedes, despite preparing to leave the team. 

Hamilton will switch to Ferrari for 2025 bringing an end to his illustrious spell with Mercedes, which is currently trying to fight its way back into race-winning and championship-challenging contention having slipped to the fourth-fastest team in F1.

As Mercedes plans its upgrades and car design for 2025, Hamilton will be gradually phased out of meetings to ensure he cannot take crucial information with him to Ferrari - but the seven-time champion remains as committed to turning Mercedes' performance around. 

"Yeah, I am still. Nothing's changed," Hamilton told media when asked by RacingNews365 if he was still fully involved in the development of the 2025 Mercedes.

"We're still having our big meetings back at the factory. I'm still fully enjoying working with everyone and having the discussions, and the team has been really, really great.

"I am massively respectful, and I'm here trying to help this team progress this year and also into next year.

"The things that I am working on, I'm like, 'these are the things you've got to probably have for next year.'

"Maybe I shouldn't be doing that, but I want the team to excel and succeed regardless of whether I am here or not."

Hamilton's qualifying

As for his qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Hamilton banked eighth on the grid, behind team-mate George Russell in sixth, with Yuki Tsunoda the meat in the Mercedes sandwich in seventh for RB. 

Hamilton feels the key to his race will be dispatching Tsunoda quickly.

"I'll try and get past Tsunoda if I can," he said.

"That would be helpful, and then after that, it's really just about managing the tyres.

"The cars ahead of George are faster, so that's kind of where we are."