Lewis Hamilton plans to 'just keep nagging' new Mercedes team

Hamilton and new team-mate Nico Rosberg yesterday unveiled the W04 in Jerez

Lewis Hamilton plans on becoming a right nag in a bid to hopefully turn Mercedes into winners.

Hamilton and new team-mate Nico Rosberg yesterday unveiled the W04 in Jerez, splitting a run-out of 50 kilometres apiece in the car for an allowed promotional filming day.

Although only using demonstration tyres, there were enough positive vibes from both drivers to suggest Mercedes could improve on their abysmal record of just one win in the past three years.

Rosberg will get the first true run-out in testing today, followed by Hamilton tomorrow, after which he has every intention of letting the technical boffins at Mercedes know exactly his thoughts.

With everything new to Hamilton, it is a case of learning as quickly as he possibly can in just six days of testing overall ahead of the opening grand prix in Australia on March 17.

"I'll maximise every second I have in the car," said Hamilton.

"Even after I got out of the car (yesterday) I made some notes in a notepad, which is something I've done in the past.

"There is so much going on, and so many things to comment on, be it the ride of the car, pitstop lights, or the buttons on the steering wheel. There is so much to think about.

"Then there is the way they speak to you, or the way they refer to things. They keep saying things I'm not familiar with. It's all new procedures.

"So I'll take every second and make sure I maximise every opportunity I have, and use every skill and all the experience I have.

"I'm also asking them if there's anything else they need me to do, and I'm making myself as available as possible for any questions.

"This week I was grilling the aerodynamicist and asking questions about the car and pushing for certain things that should be added that other teams have.

"There's not much more I can do, apart from just keep nagging."

Wearing a different race suit - other than McLaren - at a circuit for the first time in his F1 career was also a novel experience for the 28-year-old.

Hamilton had to ensure he at least made his way to the right team motorhome for starters when he entered the paddock.

"Driving past my normal motorhome and buses, it was very strange to do that," added Hamilton.

"Normally I'm looking out for them, and I had no idea where this team was.

"In putting on a different suit, only when I was in the car did I start to realise there is a massive difference compared to what I experienced before."

Asked as to the biggest difference with his new team compared to McLaren, there was an eye-opening answer which shed light on how he felt towards the end of his time with the Woking-based marque.

"I'm just happier," said Hamilton.

Asked to expand, he added: "I'm happy I've a new challenge, happy I've a new start, happy it's a fresh chapter in my life.

"I'm happy I've this excitement. I don't know if the car's going to be good or bad.

"So I'm happy and excited because I know I can contribute, and with a lot of hard work and perseverance we can get there, so I'm happy about that."

PA