Lewis Hamilton is ready to make a big impact at Mercedes after admitting to enjoying being “somewhere you are really, really wanted”.
With the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne just days away, the vibrancy and positivity exuding from Hamilton these days are unmistakable.
It is certainly in stark contrast to the gloomy persona that roamed the paddock in the weeks leading up to his announcement last September that he was quitting McLaren and moving to Mercedes.
There have been many question marks raised as to why Hamilton wanted to leave a team steeped in success and join a marque with just one win in the last three years since returning to Formula One.
Money, fewer sponsorship engagements and greater control over his image rights have all been mentioned, but it now appears clear Hamilton is also freer and far happier.
Asked whether he had made a big impact in his two months with the team, Hamilton replied: “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask some of the engineers or mechanics. I hope I’ve had a positive impact on them.
“There is a real positive feeling in the team. They’ve a great driver in Nico (Rosberg) and they worked with Michael Schumacher. So to work with another driver at the top is a definite positive for them.
“I’ve had comments from people who have told me ‘We’re really happy to have you in the team. It gives us a good boost’. It’s nice to be somewhere you are really, really wanted.”
The suggestion is Hamilton’s relationship with McLaren had grown stale, bearing in mind he had been a part of the team for 14 years and in F1 for the last six of those.
At present, his experience with Mercedes is entirely new and fresh and that appears to be reinvigorating him as he has spoken of late of challenging Fernando Alonso and creating his own dynasty.
“When you first arrive at the team you have to sit back and listen and then you can take a judgment on what you think people are like and how good they are,” added Hamilton.
“The guys are fantastic, with so much knowledge and experience and they are really hungry to succeed.”
After a tough start to testing his car suffered a rear-brake failure on the opening day in Jerez the Mercedes since has raised eyebrows with its performance.
There have been suggestions Mercedes and Hamilton could yet challenge for the title after all this season.
Although the pecking order will not be determined until qualifying on Saturday, there is also a confidence within the team in contrast to the end of last season when they simply made up the numbers.