s a traditionalist, Hamilton would prefer an ‘old-school’ car reminiscent of 1980s F1. Though he knows that dream will never be realised, he still thinks wrong turns are being made.

He denied that it was just Mercedes’ domination stifling the F1 spectacle.

“I don’t think the [current] regulations are fine, even if there were five teams battling,” said Hamilton.

“I like a different kind of car. I don’t have all the answers, I just would have a preferred type of car.

“I love a V12 and the big, wider tyres. I saw a picture of an old Ferrari when the sidepods were super-low. It must have been the mid-80s, and it just looked so cool with the wide track, wide wishbones and the slick tyres.

“Those were the days. I just loved the way the car looked then, and the stick shift. Those are the things I like, but we can never be there again.

“But 2008 was a great year where we were fighting against another team. Since then we’ve had some battles, but we need more of that.

“I don’t know what the answer is. Whatever decisions they’ve been making have not been right for some time.”

Although drivers have recently started to be consulted on various matters, the reigning champion feels more communication is needed given they are the ones behind the wheel.

“I don’t agree with the changes that are made, and have been made for many, many years. We just live with it,” added Hamilton.

“I think the drivers should be consulted, and I’m sure they’ve been involved more in recent decisions – not the ones that have just been made.

“But we do have a feeling in the car, some ideas of what could be better. We do know what is not good.

“For those who have been driving 10 to 15 years and have been through all the different rule changes, they know which ones worked and which ones didn’t.

“So I would say it [a lack of consultation] is a bad thing.”

Asked why he felt the drivers are not consulted more often, Hamilton replied: “I don’t know.

“Don’t take my word for it, maybe they are. I think there have been some meetings to which we’ve been invited over the last couple of years.

“I think they are being more and more open to ideas, but the ones that have been implemented now are nothing to do with us.”