Vauls: Lewis looks like an octopus wrapping around the steering wheel.

      Williams team leader James Vowles, during his years at Mercedes, had the chance to work with two seven-time world champions – Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. According to his observations, Hamilton acts more technically behind the wheel than Michael.

      James Vowles: "Michael wasn't the most skilled driver. I've already said that Lewis is. But Schumacher knew how to squeeze every millisecond out of himself and the team.

      Hamilton has a natural talent. When he goes out on track for the first practice, he's like an octopus wrapping around the wheel. He changes every setting on the steering wheel and explores what these changes lead to. In this regard, he's simply incredible.

      There was a moment during a long series of laps in Brazil when we told the drivers to climb the hill in seventh gear. And within two laps, Nico Rosberg did exactly what we asked. But within those same two laps, Lewis felt that something was off and started to go through that section in sixth gear – and because of that, he gained ten positions. Nico was ten places ahead of him until the end of the session until he saw the telemetry."

      Lewis is a true optimist. He uses data as a starting point and then relies on a gut feeling that surpasses everything else. He has no problem exploring the limits.