Why Hamilton has played down importance of Mercedes simulator

Lewis Hamilton has played down the importance of using the Mercedes simulator to get to grips with the new W12 E Performance ahead of the Bahrain season-opener.

The reigning champion is aiming for a record eighth title this season in a car that is predominantly a carryover from last year.

There has, however, been an update to aerodynamic regulations for this year to curb downforce levels, meaning the rear-end characteristics of the cars will be expected to differ.

Despite the changes, Hamilton has refrained from spending hours in the simulator preparing for the new campaign.

Explaining his reasons why, Hamilton revealed: "I don't do a lot of simulator stuff. I have not done a lot of laps on the simulator. I would be guessing I have maybe done 30 laps or something like that.

"The problem with the sim, for example, is we have a new tyre this year, so they can send an idea of the tyre model but we won't know until we get to the track and test the tyre when we get to Bahrain.

"Then I can feedback the information of how the tyres feel through the corners and then they can update the sim.

"I really kind of need to be here to update it, to say 'Yes, that is how it feels at the track'. So right now, it is kind of a guesstimate of how the tyre might feel like.

"The aero package has shifted but that combined with those tyres, I don't like to take too much from it."

Most races last season contained just a single stop for the majority of the field due to the durability of the Pirelli tyres.

With new rubber working in tandem with the downforce reduction, Hamilton has suggested extra stops could be seen during races as thermal degradation increases.

"We have lost rear downforce and that can play a significant role, especially with the tyres also dropping off," added Hamilton.

"The new Pirellis are supposed to be more reliable but are supposed to have less grip, probably around eight-tenths off last year's tyres, so undoubtedly the rear could be sliding around more with more thermal degradation this year.

"So, you could see more stops potentially, but that is all guessing. Maybe others have lost less downforce so maybe they will be in a better position."

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