Hamilton ‘wants closer racing’ from 2017 changes

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton says he wants to see the planned-for-2017 technical revolution result “in closer racing” in Formula One.

In the wake of dwindling TV viewing figures and growing frustration at the current V6 turbocharged power units, the sport has been going through an identity crisis with senior management desperately looking for a way out of the quagmire.

The past few months have thus seen a flurry of proposals emerge, from returning to normally aspirated V8 engines to bringing back wider tyres and simpler aerodynamics. The overall rationale behind these ideas is to make F1 cars faster and although anything has yet to be confirmed, 2017 has been repeatedly earmarked as a turning point for F1.

More than outright speed, championship leader Hamilton, who can win his third world title at this weekend's United States Grand Prix, is especially keen for more intense competition on track.

“I’ve not really looked at the changes they’re proposing, to be honest,” admitted the Briton. “But it needs to be… for example, with the DRS, it doesn’t feel organic, like natural racing. Whatever changes they make, I want to see closer racing. Wheel to wheel racing.

“It needs to be like go-karting was, wheel to wheel with guys following the train and overtaking. We need to make Formula One a bit more like that. Somehow. I don’t know how they’re going to do it. It needs to be a lot different to what it was in the last 20 years.”

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