Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton has opposed a proposal to shorten the distance of Formula 1 races ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Operativ Media reports that the British driver, who described the meetings held with the team after the Italian Grand Prix as productive, expressed satisfaction with the car's development this year. He stated that a penalty for an engine change is not currently on the agenda.

Hamilton said he does not consider it appropriate to reduce the race distance in future seasons. According to him, one of the key characteristics of Formula 1 is drivers pushing their physical and mental limits.

“I don't really know the reasons and logic behind this decision,” the driver noted.

Hamilton said that, on the contrary, he supports making races longer. He emphasized that driving modern cars has become physically easier compared to previous eras.

“Races, on the contrary, should be longer. Driving the cars has become physically easier than ever. Therefore, shortening the distance does not make sense to me,” he added.

The driver stated that due to the introduction of durable tires, many races end with only one pit stop, and in some cases, he would like to drive a few more laps.

“Formula 1 should be the series that challenges athletes the most physically and mentally,” Hamilton emphasized.

He noted the importance of drivers fighting to the absolute limit of their physical capabilities in high-temperature races like Singapore and Malaysia.

Hamilton also said he remembers the tracks from earlier eras of Formula 1. According to him, adapting to this pace in the first year of his career was very difficult, and in 2020, driving cars with high downforce created a serious physical load.

The British driver stated that he does not like the wide run-off areas on current tracks, preferring older tracks with grass and gravel where the sense of risk is higher.

Hamilton also revealed that the team held meetings with factory staff, where the car's development directions were discussed in detail.

“We met with the engineers and analyzed in detail which areas we did well in and where we have shortcomings,” he said.

Touching upon the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Hamilton emphasized that the Baku track puts drivers face-to-face with walls at every braking point, making a high level of confidence in the car essential.

“Baku is a dangerous track where you face walls at every braking point, requiring the highest level of confidence in the car,” the driver noted.

Hamilton said he has some bad memories in Baku, particularly noting that he has not forgotten the incident with Sebastian Vettel in 2021.