Between the lines at the Monaco Grand Prix

The F1’s official FIA Press Conferences are the traditional home of ‘for sure’, ‘the team’s done an amazing job’ and ‘we’re investigating that’, but what lies behind the platitudes? F1i reckons it has the answer…

Thursday 8 May 2015 – Drivers’ Press Conference Spain

Lewis Hamilton

The Question: Lewis, we have to start with you. Congratulations on your new contract. Why is Mercedes the right choice for you for the next few years?

What Lewis said:

It’s the first time I’ve seen so many people in the room for a long time. Well, I mean, I’ve been with Mercedes a long, long time, they were a part of getting me to Formula One. When I signed in, what was it – ’97 – at McLaren-Mercedes, they were hugely influential in guiding me to Formula One and I’ve only ever driven for Mercedes, so it was natural to want to continue with them. Plus, obviously I joined this team and we’ve had amazing success. I’m very, very happy with the package and the group of people that I have within this team. So it was a very easy decision to make and it’s also great that the team wanted to continue working with me.

What he might have meant to say:

LH: Why is Mercedes the right choice? Well James, there are 100 million reasons why. One. Hundred. Million.