Hamilton says 'Stone Age' F1 needs to play catch-up

Formula 1 might be the pinnacle of motor racing technology, but according to reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton it's still stuck in the Stone Age in other respects.

Hamilton has been irked in recent weeks by the sport's governing body and commercial rights holders failing to give drivers the chance to input into the decision-making process.

In particular, he wasn't happy with proposals for the layout of the mooted Miami Grand Prix which it's hoped will be rushed through in time to be on the 2019 calendar.

"Nope. It hasn't ever been the case up until now, so I don't anticipate it being the case in the future," he said when asked if he had expected to be consulted.

But this was just the tip of the iceberg as far as Hamilton was concerned.

"Formula 1 has been in the Stone Age compared to NFL and soccer and all big other sports," he said this week.

"We are trying to catch up, but it is a long process."

Hamilton did acknowledge that F1's new owners Liberty Media and chairman Chase Carey were doing their best to modernise the sport, after decades of Bernie Ecclestone's stewardship.

"I do believe in Chase and his team wanting to bring change," he said.

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“It is a big job for Chase, he has only come in a couple of years ago. Before, the social media was not allowed in,” Hamilton pointed out. "Bernie said it was not important.

Hamilton had been a big proponent of social media long before, and is pleased to see the sport finally catch up and open up to the opportunities.

"Now something as big as social media is huge and a really powerful platform. And now that's allowed if people want to use it."

Liberty has also launched a full online digital service offering race coverage around the world, rather than relying on lucrative local broadcasting deals.

But Hamilton was frustrated that this was only the start of the work that was needed to broaden F1's appeal, and that progress was still not fast enough.

“It is a real slow process to broadcast Formula 1 around the world,” he said.

It is crazy to think Formula 1 is still so unknown in so many territories, yet it is global and on TV.

"Having more races in the US is a good thing. I'm looking forward to it. But the actual racing needs to be super-exciting still."

"There is more to be done but I think they are doing the right steps."

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