Lewis Hamilton: Formula 1 simulators no better than computer games

Simulators have become an almost ubiquitous tool in F1 in recent times, as the rules have increasingly limited on-track testing.

Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg recently described parts of Mercedes' simulation of the new Baku street circuit as "weird", and Hamilton said he drove just eight laps in the sim ahead of this weekend's European Grand Prix because of the tool's limitations.

"I don't drive the simulator a lot because it's not at its best at the moment - we're working on trying to make it better," Hamilton said.

"I don't do a lot of time in simulators. When I was at McLaren we did way too much.

"I could spend £100 on a PlayStation and learn the same amount."

Hamilton said the simulator was more use to engineers than drivers, because the sensations of driving a real car cannot be replicated correctly in a sim.

"There's a difference between driving a simulator and driving the real thing - you have no emotion," Hamilton added.

"When you get into the simulator you have to adjust yourself to the simulator, and when you get in the car you don't adjust to it, you drive.

"When you get in the simulator you have to adjust all your feelings - you don't get the same movements, the same bumps.

"You drive the same track the day before and on Monday you drive the simulator and the bumps aren't there, the kerbs are different, the speed is different.

"You don't feel the speed, you don't feel the physicality of it.

"The engineers learn more from the fuel usage, the power usage and aerodynamics."

Hamilton also revealed that he does not walk circuits anymore, something that is common practice among most F1 teams and drivers during a grand prix weekend.

"I've walked around circuits since Formula Renault to probably my third or fourth year in F1 and it made zero difference to my weekend," Hamilton said.

"I've not walked a track since 2010 and it made zero difference.

"It might work for others, but for me it doesn't."