Lewis Hamilton says with Formula 1 seasons stretching longer across a year the shorter winter breaks are “more and more important”𓆏 for him in teꦕrms of recovery and preparing for a full campaign next year.

The recently-crowned fifth-time F1 world champion wrapped up his Mercedes driving commitments last weekend by winning the Abu Dh⛎abi Grand Prix, with teammate Valtteri🐓 Bottas taking on the driving responsibilities for the two-day post-season Pirelli tyre test at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Hamilton says he still has a handful of sponsor an🔯d Mercedes days to complete before he can completely switch off from a gruelling F1 campaign.

It leaves the British dri🗹ver, and the rest of the F1 paddock, around just under 12 we𒐪eks until the 2019 F1 season preparations begin with team launches and pre-season testing in Spain.

With the off-season shrinking by a further💙 week next year, as the Abu Dhabi GP is held on the first weekend of December in 2019, Hamilton sees the shorter wi🌠nters are becoming even more important to use correctly.

“The seasons are getting longer and longer, so the importancܫe of that period is getting more and more important,” Hamilton said. 🌱“But, I’m going to stay in free practice for a little bit longer. Works best for me.

“I haven’t made any plans yet – but looking forwards to family time. I unfortunat🎐ely still have a lot of work to do until mid-December sometime – but excited for the winter, winter break and just getting time to spend with my sister and the kids and m💝y Mum and my Dad. The whole switch-off thing.”

With 2019 preparations already underway for Ha෴milton and Mercedes, the British driver’s F1 commitments will ramp up by mid-February when the team traditionally launc🔴hes its new car.

Pre-s𒅌eason testing be𒅌gins at Circuit de Catalunya, venue for the Spanish Grand Prix, between February 18-21 with the second test taking place at the same circuit on February 26-March 1.

ꦆThe 2019 F1 season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix on March 17.