Hamilton already focused on 2019 developments

Lewis Hamilton says he is focused on 2019 already with the development on Mercedes' next F1 challenger well underway. The championship leader told Motorsport.com that he was feeling comfortable enough to be focusing on next year's fight despite six races remaining in the 2018 season.

Hamilton is currently 40 points ahead of his championship rival in Sebastian Vettel after a series of breathtaking performances have left him with all the momentum and plaudits.

"I had this meeting with the guys, and if you can see this energy with everyone, it is really – I find it really inspiring," he said.

"We started off the year, I felt great, and then we tailed off and we had some struggles with the understanding of the car, how to utilise the equipment that we had tyre-wise and balance-wise, we had a couple of so-so races, and then luckily we found our footing.

"We're going from strength to strength as a team in our understanding of the car, how to utilise the tools that we have. We are far more comfortable at our job right now - six races ago we were definitely questioning, but I think we've now figured the car out, we know where we are and we know what we have got to do.

"Also in those meetings I pushed them a lot about next year's car. I know what I need improving."

F1 will undergo rule changes which the teams will have to contend with, front wing designs will become more simplified and Hamilton is eager to begin testing new parts as soon as possible,

"I am pushing the guys because they have to sign off things now for next year's tests already," he added.

"And I'm saying, 'Can you bring things forward? Please make this component which takes a lot of work but I might get it to the race - because I want to feel it on a race weekend, rather than next year in February or March.'

"When we start testing it is too late, so I am keeping the pressure on these guys."