Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn feels Lewis Hamilton’s criticism of the Brackley-based team’s latest car will serve as a spur and an inspiration.
After one victory over the past three seasons since their return to Formula One, Brawn sees Hamilton as “part of the solution” in hauling Mercedes on a par with Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren.
It means that whatever Hamilton’s comments with regard to the W04, that was launched on Monday, they will be welcomed rather than frowned upon with frustration.
The 28-year-old was at least able to offer a more informed verdict on the car after yesterday completing 145 laps of the Circuito de Jerez on the final day of the first test.
It was valuable running for Hamilton after his first day in the car on Wednesday saw him complete just 15 laps after being pitched into a tyre wall courtesy of a rear-brake failure.
“You have a choice in a team, are you the problem or are you the solution?” questioned Brawn rhetorically.
“He is part of the solution to get us where we want to be. He knows that and he understands that, and I think he is relishing that.
“It is correct that he gives his reference points and helps us understand what we have to focus on.
“Some of it we knew already and that is why we restructured the aero group. I welcome that approach.
“It needs to positive and constructive, but criticism of the right sort is helpful to a team, it drives you forward.”
Brawn has described Hamilton as “simple and straightforward” in his approach, which again is respected and sought after.
Brawn likes the fact Hamilton does not mince his words, adding: “He tells us what he thinks and he is never short of detail in telling you what he thinks, and you learn what level of detail you need to go to.
“He is interested in everything about the car, such as the fact the stickers might not be put on properly on the bodywork.
“He has a very good eye for detail. I think he is going to be a very involved member of the team, which is what we wanted.
“He is clearly a very talented driver, but Formula One is about so much more.
“There are a lot of highly-talented drivers who don’t have the rest of it, but I think he has the rest of it as well.”
Hamilton finished sixth quickest on what was a tightly-contested timesheet as the top seven drivers were covered by just 0.8secs.
Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen concluded the day on top with a lap of one minute 18.148secs, just 0.027secs faster than Jules Bianchi in the Force India.
The Silverstone-based marque are the only team yet to announce their second driver for the coming campaign, with Bianchi certainly proving he can take on the full-time seat after serving as reserve last year.
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