Hamilton makes F1 testing admission: 'I have done that miss test days'

Lewis Hamilton revealed that he has once faked an illness to getout of driving in tests during his time in Formula 1. Drivers haveoften spoke about how much they dislike taking part in tests,mainly due to how much of a precession they can be at circuits.In-season testing is restricted in F1 now to reduce costs, withthem mainly being for tyre-maker Pirelli. Teams can also take partin filming days which are restricted to 200km with the intent ofthe runs in order to create marketing and commercial material ontrack. Hamilton: He's one-upped me! Speaking at the post-seasondebrief at the Mercedes factory, Hamilton joined Team PrincipalToto Wolff and reserve driver Mick Schumacher to address the team.When told that George Russell had to miss due to illness, Hamiltonsaid: “In the past I have done that to miss the test days, becauseI just generally don’t like test days. “So yesterday when I heardthat he was sick, I was like ‘ah, he’s one-upped me! He’s gone toanother level!” Hamilton previously missed test duties due toillness with the team, notably in 2015 when Pascal Wehrlein had tosubstitute the seven-time World Champion at the pre-season test atCircuit de Catalunya.