Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton said on Friday that he wants to help Mercedes beat Ferrari and ensure his team’s factory staff earn vital bonuses to cope with Britain’s cost-of-living crisis.

The 37-year-old Briton and Mercedes team-mate and compatriot, George Russell, are 40 points behind Ferrari ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Hamilton considered that it would be "amazing" if Mercedes succeeded in overhauling that deficit to take second place in the teams’ title race behind champions Red Bull.

"I know how important it is for the team and everyone back at the factory in terms of bonuses," expressed Hamilton, "especially at a time when energy prices have gone through the roof, when living costs in the UK have skyrocketed."

"So I know, because I’m told and I can see how important and impactful that is for them, and also just how hard we’ve dug deep to catch up," he added.

The Briton told Motorsport.com that if Mercedes succeeded in taking second place ahead of Ferrari, it would be not only an exceptional achievement following Ferrari’s excellent winning start to the season but also a very positive signal for 2023.