Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton feels fresher and healthier than ever, which is a sentiment the 35-year-old has gained from the fact that the season start has been moved to July due to the corona pandemic.
And it is precisely for this reason that he has appreciated the unexpectedly long time alongside the GP courses around the world.
- During the last five years there have been occasions where I have thought that the body and mind would feel good from a little rest, he says.
- For an athlete who is in his prime, however, it is never good to be away for a year but now we have got parts of a sabbatical, and I like that.
The rest has meant that, apart from feeling fresher and healthier, he has appreciated several things in life and feels more excited about what awaits. And maybe it could also be one of the keys in this season's hunt to claim German Michael Schumacher's seven World Cup titles.
However, the journey to a possible new title will initially be in crowded arenas.
- I don't know how exciting it will be for people to watch it on TV but it's better than nothing, says Lewis Hamilton.
The season is currently scheduled to start in Austria in July, which will be the first of several competitions that will run without an audience.