F1 Report: 'World champion Lewis Hamilton deserves to be listened to'

As the reigning F1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton deserves to be listened to on the sport's future direction, according to this week's F1 Report guests.

Although Hamilton - who has declined to join the drivers' union, the Grand Prix Drivers' Association - has been criticised for failing to attend pre-season meetings to discuss proposed rule changes, he has nevertheless proved a vocal and eloquent opponent against plans to radically shake up the sport in 2017.

"There's been a lot of talk about the rules and whether the drivers should be more involved in decision making," Hamilton said this week. "It's not our job to come up with ideas and we all have different opinions anyway.

"But personally, I think we need more mechanical grip and less aero wake coming off the back of the cars so we can get close and overtake. Give us five seconds' worth of lap time from aero and nothing will change - we'll just be driving faster.

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"I speak as somebody who loves this sport and loves racing. I don't have all the answers - but I know that the changes we're making won't deliver better racing."

And speaking on this week's F1 Report: Bahrain Preview,  journalist and commentator Peter Windsor insisted that Hamilton's status in the sport - as well as his eloquence - demanded attention.

"Lewis Hamilton spoke really well recently when he said 'why are we making the cars heavier for next year? Racing cars should be lighter. What's it all about?'" Windsor said.

"Everything he says makes sense."

Hamilton was conspicuous by his absence at a meeting held in Barcelona during pre-season testing, with FIA race delegate Charlie Whiting subsequently remarking: "Quite a few drivers turned up which was nice. Lewis was invited but he didn't come."

However, the three-time world champion told reporters in Melbourne: "It is interesting that recently Charlie has hit out at me and it is right that he has called some meetings, but I didn't go as at the time I was really just focussed on doing my work with my engineers.

"But also it is very rare that anything in our conversations gets taken notice of so there is no need for me to be there. Most likely if I do go Sebastian (Vettel) is the only one who is going to be doing the talking so there is no point in me being there, I can just read about it later."

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