Hamilton: ‘Three engine limit? That sucks’

Lewis Hamilton has said the three engine penalty limit being enforced next season "sucks" and compared the 2018 cars to "a bus".

Grid penalties are set to become even more prevalent next season as the amount of engine parts that can be changed before being punished is dropping from four lots to each element of the power unit to just three.

And Hamilton believes that rule is harming what Formula 1 should be all about.

"I don't like the idea of going to three. That sucks. Sprinting is what we are missing in F1," Hamilton said.

Hamilton is also not particularly enthusiastic about the 2018 cars, either, which will also have the 'Halo' cockpit safety protection device fitted.

"The car is going to be a bus next year, it is going to be so heavy, like a Nascar (stock car)," he added.

"The braking distances get longer, the brakes are always on fire, on the limit.

"I know it sounds negative but as a racer we want fast, nimble cars where we can attack always every single lap.

"Unfortunately that is not what we generally have. I had that today but I was coming from a different place.

"If you look at the front guys, they were managing and that is what we are normally doing.

"I don't think that is too exciting for people to watch. If you look at the most exciting races – particularly when it rains – we don't have those limitations.

"I'm not sure cutting down engines is helping it in that direction."