Lewis Hamilton expresses his discontent with the choice to shorten F1 race durations.

While one option to manage this transition could be to expand the fuel tank capacity, doing so would add weight to the chassis, contradicting one of the goals of the new regulations.

Consequently, the decision has been made to shorten the races to minimize the likelihood of drivers exhausting their fuel, which will typically reduce the race length by about three laps at most circuits.

When questioned about this change during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton remarked: “I don't really know much about it or the rationale behind it. I believe the races should be longer because they are physically easier than they have ever been.”

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

“Shortening the races doesn't seem logical to me. For instance, this weekend we had the [Pirelli] C3, 4, 5 tires, which can almost cover the race distance, meaning many races only require a single pit stop.

“It's not particularly demanding; while it is challenging, the tires are designed to last longer, so there have been numerous races where I've wished for more laps.

“What I would genuinely prefer are longer races. This sport is meant to be the most physically and mentally demanding, and certain venues, like Singapore, are extremely hot and taxing, and Malaysia will be intense this year.”

“That's where you want to witness athletes pushing their limits, performing at the edge of their capabilities, truly testing their endurance, because that’s what this sport is about—pushing boundaries, so shortening the races seems utterly illogical to me.”

Malaysia will follow Baku on the calendar, marking its return to F1 for the first time since 2017, due to the cancellation of the Bahrain race amid ongoing regional conflicts.

The Malaysian Grand Prix was a fixture on the F1 calendar from 1999 to 2017, with Hamilton, who debuted in 2007, securing victory there only once in 2014 on his way to his second of seven championships.

Lewis Hamilton at 2014 Malaysian GP

“I've always enjoyed visiting Kuala Lumpur and have had many fantastic experiences there with my previous team,” said the Ferrari driver, who has raced there with McLaren and later with Mercedes.

“The circuit is fantastic. It provides excellent racing, and when determining which tracks to feature throughout the year, that should influence the decision.

“We want exciting races for the fans, not ones where overtaking is scarce, so I wholeheartedly welcome this change.

“I'm looking forward to it; once again, it’s a scorching circuit that presents a significant physical challenge, and I'm eager to tackle that.”