Motor
racing: Hamilton has "zero problems" with Bottas
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[February 21, 2017]
By Alan Baldwin
LONDON (Reuters) - Triple world
champion Lewis Hamilton has clarified comments about not wanting to
share data with Formula One team mates and says he has "zero
problems" with new Mercedes arrival Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton told a Facebook Live session with F1 sponsor UBS last
Friday that drivers should do their own "homework" rather than be
able to copy a team mate's racing lines and braking points.
"I go out, do my laps, do all my homework and the other guy can see
everything," said the Briton.
"When we're driving we're picking out braking points, bumps, tire
rubber marks on the track, all these different things to help get
you through the corner quickest ... but because of this (shared)
data they (team mates) can just copy you.
"They should be able to go out there on their own and find it all
themselves, without you."
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Hamilton's comments were interpreted by some as Hamilton criticizing
Mercedes for insisting on shared data between team mates, but he
took to Twitter on Monday to emphasize that was not the case.
"I wish to clarify, I have not hit out at my team at all. My point
on data sharing is solely my feelings about the sport in general,"
said the 32-year-old, who made his debut with McLaren in 2007
alongside double champion Fernando Alonso.
"It has been my feeling since the day I started F1 and still is 10
years later. There is zero problems in my team, zero problems with
Bottas."
Hamilton is favorite to clinch a fourth title this season after
losing out last year to team mate Nico Rosberg, who promptly
retired.
The German, a rival since their teenage years in go-karting, won
fewer races than Hamilton (9-10) but enjoyed better reliability.
Hamilton beat Rosberg to the title in the previous two campaigns.
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![](../images/022117pics/sports47.jpg)
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton celebrates second place on the podium
Reuters / Max Rossi Livepic
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The Briton has said it does not matter who his team mate is and
spoke warmly of Bottas, who joins from Williams without having won a
race so far.
"It is interesting to see how it's going to go, how quick he will
be, how quick he adapts, how he does with pressure ... I would say
the most fascinating thing is the mind of my competitors, what
limits they'll go to," Hamilton said during the Facebook Live
session.
"Some people will sell their mum to win a race, sell your soul, and
some people will do other things so it's really interesting to see
where Valtteri will go."
The season starts in Australia on March 26 and Mercedes present
their new car at Silverstone on Thursday.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Alison Williams)
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