Hamilton gets empty feelings from Austria: "The fans make that race"

When the Formula 1 season starts in Austria, it will take place on a completely deserted circuit. Lewis Hamilton tries to imagine what it will be like in a video of Mercedes. He's not happy with that thought, but still he thinks it's important to race.

"I got a very empty feeling about it, because the fans really make that race. All over the world, there is a better atmosphere when there are more fans. That's why places like Silverstone and Monza are so great. But it's going to be very empty."

Hamilton, on the other hand, states that it is important to race, even without an audience. He says he's been getting messages from people all over the world in recent weeks telling him they miss the sport so much. So for those fans he likes to go on the track, but for the drivers it will be a strange experience.

Worse than a test day

"It shows how important sport is in our lives, it brings us all together. I don't know what it's going to look like on TV, but it's better than nothing. For us it's going to feel like a test day, probably even worse, because now there's really no one in the stands at all."

However, he also indicates that he can't wait to get back in the car. According to the Brit, none of the drivers has managed to get the most out of the new cars during the winter tests and he is therefore curious how fast it will go.