Hamilton wants 2019 upgrades brought forward

Lewis Hamilton has called on Mercedes to add 2019 upgrades to his car during the final races of this season as he looks to secure a fifth world title at Sebastian Vettel's expense. Hamilton opened up a dominant 40-point lead over Vettel by winning in Singapore, but is not resting on his laurels.

Four victories from the last five grands prix have helped Hamilton accelerate away from his rival in pursuit of the championship.

Although he can potentially win the crown without taking anther race victory in 2018, Hamilton wants to keep the boot on Ferrari's throat, warning that introducing 2019 parts in pre-season testing next year could come too late.

"I had this meeting with the guys, and if you can see this energy with everyone, it is really – I find it really inspiring," he said.

"We started off the year, I felt great, and then we tailed off and we had some struggles with the understanding of the car, how to utilise the equipment that we had tyre-wise and balance-wise, we had a couple of so-so races, and then luckily we found our footing.

"We're going from strength to strength as a team in our understanding of the car, how to utilise the tools that we have. We are far more comfortable at our job right now - six races ago we were definitely questioning, but I think we've now figured the car out, we know where we are and we know what we have got to do.

"Also in those meetings I pushed them a lot about next year's car. I know what I need improving.

"I am pushing the guys because they have to sign off things now for next year's tests already.

"And I'm saying, 'Can you bring things forward? Please make this component which takes a lot of work but I might get it to the race - because I want to feel it on a race weekend, rather than next year in February or March.'

"When we start testing it is too late, so I am keeping the pressure on these guys."

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