Hamilton: 'That came as a surprise to me'

Still improving

Hamilton is making himself better every year. He had also set himself clear targets for 2020. "Last year I drove strong races, but I wasn't that good in qualifying. So I went into this season with the aim of working on my weaknesses without giving up my strengths. I managed to improve in qualifying, but I also improved in the race. That came as a surprise to me," says Hamilton to Auto Motor und Sport.

So the Brit continues to improve himself, but that is becoming more and more difficult. "Every athlete gets to a point where he can only adjust details. I am not standing still. I know what I have to do to put myself in the best possible position, both mentally and physically," Hamilton says.

At the helm

The current success did not come easy for Hamilton. He has worked hard for that and he compares his situation with that of the other seven-time world champion. "As a young driver, you don't understand how Michael Schumacher was able to put together such a successful package with Ferrari at the time, or how I am now with Mercedes. Half of them believe that I am just lucky to be in a good car."

He therefore has a great deal of appreciation for what Schumacher did at the time. "You have to be at the helm to steer this group of smart, determined and creative people in a direction of development so that in the end the car will be in perfect harmony with the driver.”