Hamilton: "I needed to switch off"

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton says he feels 'refreshed' after jetting into Baku directly from California after spending a week with friends.

Hamilton, who hasn't won a race yet this season, spoke before the Chinese Grand Prix saying:

“I needed to switch off and spend some time with friends.

"I had a great weekend – a lot of travelling but that’s what I do.

"I get back in the car feeling refreshed, feeling like it is not a new start but it is coming back and reset."

The Brit knows that his team need to improve in order for him to retain his title.

”It’s only been three races," Hamilton said.

"We would like to have won races but it has been a learning process. We know it’s a three-way battle. It is not going to be easy and it requires a lot of work to perform at our best.”