Hamilton is a “great spy”, just as Schumacher was in F1

Before the start of F1 2021 pre-season testing in Bahrain, the drivers prepared for the traditional grid photo. Unlike other years, the cars also came out in the photo. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, the Mercedes driver pair, tried to make the most of the moment and focused on the rear of the Red Bull RB16B.

Hamilton is a perfectionist as much as Schumacher

Michael Schumacher at his peak was already known for thoroughly studying rivals’ cars at Parque Fechado. Hamilton is also a perfectionist and does not limit his “espionage” to Parque Fechado, according to Philipp Brändle, a former member of the Mercedes team in F1.

“Hamilton is a great spy,” said Brändle in his analysis for ServusTV. “He looks at everything closely. For example, there was a scene in front of the podium in the waiting room. He noticed that another coverall had less detail. And that could save weight. Because every detail really counts in F1 ”.

So it’s not just about curiosity or destabilizing competitors when we see drivers examining each other’s cars. On very few occasions can team members take a closer look at another team’s car. Pilots have the opportunity when they are in the Closed Park.