Lewis Hamilton talk technology in Formula 1 (Picture Credit: Mercedes AMG)
Ahead of this weekend’s Monaco GP, Mercedes F1 star Lewis Hamilton has suggested increased levels of technology within the cars can distract drivers from racing.
Although not lowering the quality of racing or diminishing the skill levels required from the drivers, Hamilton has suggested the current levels of technology within a Formula One car can become a distraction, with racers forced to “juggle more things at the same time as driving.”
Entering the iconic Monaco GP on the back of a poor result in Spain, a race plague by tyre management issues, Hamilton has claimed that although a distraction, the ever increasing levels of in-car technology have not lowered the levels of racing.
“Technology doesn’t really take away from the pure driving side of things; you just need to get your head on top of that stuff,” Hamilton said speaking with TrustedReviews recently. “You have to be able to juggle more things at the same time as driving. If anything I would say that drivers nowadays are required to handle a lot more.”
A sport renowned as much for its technological advancements as its high-octane racing, glamorous lifestyles and iconic venues such as Monaco, Formula 1 has helped push a number of technologies that are used both in modern road cars and further afield.
With Formula 1 being a sport that is constantly evolving, Hamilton stated: “Every year they introduce more and more technology. As an example, on our steering wheels we now have 26 different buttons and switches and this covers everything from hydraulic differential, all the switch sensors that you can turn on and off and those kinds of things.”
Looking back on how Formula 1 has evolved over the year thanks in large to advancing technologies, Hamilton added: “I think in terms of pure racing, technology has always been involved.” Even back in Senna’s day there was still a lot of technology involved back then but obviously nowhere near the same level as we have today.”
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