Lewis Hamilton's unique qualities as a driver have been highlighted by a former Mercedes engineer, Philipp Brändle, shedding light on what makes him a standout in Formula 1.
The engineer noted that Hamilton's exceptional feel for the car rivals that of Michael Schumacher, contributing significantly to his legendary status in the sport.
After a challenging couple of seasons, Hamilton appears to be regaining his competitive edge, especially following recent victories by his teammate George Russell and himself at key races.
Mercedes has made strides in enhancing their car's performance, allowing Hamilton to showcase his skills once again.
Brändle pointed out that Hamilton tends to push the car to its limits only when he believes he has a chance to win.
If he senses that the car isn't performing well, he can become less aggressive, which can impact his race performance. However, when he sees even a slight opportunity, he drives exceptionally well.
Speaking to Motorsport-Total.com , he said, “What I think always sets him apart a little, both positively and negatively, is that when he knows he has a chance of winning something, he can drive at 200 per cent.
“But if he has the feeling that the car isn’t running well, that he somehow has no chance of winning the race, then unfortunately he lets himself go a bit, which is a shame.
“If he sees even the slightest chance, then he drives as well as ever, I think, like no other.”
Hamilton's tire management skills are also noteworthy. He has a remarkable ability to gauge tire performance, which was evident during a past race where he successfully overtook a competitor who was on a different pit strategy. His understanding of tire dynamics often gives him an edge in races.
He continued,“[Hamilton] can simply judge things brutally well.
“He is also a tire whisperer, he feels the tires like no other and can also manage them sensationally well. There are countless examples of this, [one of which was] in Hungary a few years ago, where Red Bull led with Max.
"[Red Bull] decided to make only [one] pit stop. Mercedes had to do something else because otherwise they wouldn’t have got past.
"He was really chasing Verstappen for the whole race, but then he overtook him in the first corner in the end. That was exactly where he showed his class again.”
Additionally, Hamilton's instinctive connection with the car is impressive. He can detect even minor issues while driving at high speeds, showcasing a level of sensitivity that is rare among drivers.
This ability to feel the car's nuances is a significant part of what sets him apart in the competitive world of Formula 1.
Brändle also compared him to F1 legend Michael Shumacher, saying,“What characterizes Lewis is simply his incredible feel for the car.
“I would say that in terms of the data and the technology, he is perhaps not as mature as other drivers, such as Nico Rosberg or now perhaps George Russell.
"But he has an incredible feel for the car, just like Michael Schumacher was said to have back then.
“He feels the car like no other, so if it feels like a screw is loose somewhere at 320 kilometers per hour, he can feel it right from the start.”
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