Lewis Hamilton and the tape trick: a simple solution to an often overlooked problem

Lewis Hamilton and the tape trick: a simple solution to an often overlooked problem – VIDEO. Lewis Hamilton uses a simple piece of tape to solve a tricky but often underestimated problem.

Lewis Hamilton has been using a piece of tape to address a problem that is often underestimated in the world of Formula 1. The seven-time world champion fine-tunes small details using this simple but effective solution. Here’s why Lewis Hamilton started using tape and the issue he aims to solve.

It is well known that the British driver has occasionally struggled with his seating position. Sir Lewis prefers the cockpit to be slightly further back from the front wheels to get a better view of the car’s front axle. Many fans underestimate how difficult it is to judge the surroundings from inside the cockpit. One of the most critical moments is positioning the car correctly on the starting grid: getting as far forward as possible without crossing the sensor line. From the outside, this may seem straightforward. But an F1 driver must carefully align the car within a starting grid that is only 2.7 meters wide. The rules allow the car’s nose to extend slightly beyond the white box, but legality depends entirely on the wheel placement. Lewis Hamilton has opted for a simple yet clever solution.

Lewis Hamilton’s tape for perfect grid positioning

Article 48.1 of the FIA Formula 1 sporting regulations states that a driver commits an illegal start if “any part of the contact patch of the front tires is outside the front or lateral lines at the moment of the start signal.” To assist drivers, the FIA draws a yellow guideline along the front of the grid. This line runs the entire length of the track and is meant to help drivers judge where to position their front wheels. However, this system is not perfect and has not prevented drivers from making mistakes. In 2023, both Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso received penalties for being misaligned on the grid, prompting the FIA to expand the starting grid boxes by 20 centimeters.

When Lewis Hamilton’s car is pushed into his grid slot, the mechanics carefully maneuver it under the supervision of his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Adami keeps a close eye on the car’s position to ensure it stops as far forward as possible. Once in place, Lewis Hamilton, with the help of a mechanic, attaches a small piece of black tape to the leading edge of one sidepod. This provides a precise reference point to replicate the exact position when returning for the actual start.

During the Azerbaijan GP, the Briton was seen using a screwdriver to adjust the tape. The goal is to make sure the marker is perfectly aligned. The black tape is then positioned to intersect the yellow guideline on the grid. This gives Lewis Hamilton a reliable reference point for the exact forward distance his car should cover. The full video showcases the technique in action.