As Lewis Hamilton tells reporters how much he is enjoying his team, there's a certain feeling that the British driver is overdoing the message.

Talking to reporters in Barcelona, Hamilton, who has been accompanied by his girlfriend and dog in recent weeks, expressed his joy with the move to Mercedes, insisting the Brackley outfit allows him more freedom than he had at McLaren.

In particular, he is delighted not to have to do so much corporate work in terms of team sponsors, the lifeblood of the sport.

"'We still have sponsors, we still have sponsors appearances and filming days, there is not a huge difference in the way they go about things," he told reporters. "But the focus is on the driver, the driver's performance, the driver being ready for the job at hand, that's one thing I'm noticing is a little bit better here.

"I want to be as ready as I can possibly be physically and mentally, making sure everything is taken care of," he added. "Now, I have a little bit more time in my life. I'm still devoted to helping the team move forward... it's just a new environment

"I am absolutely loving it," he grinned. "I'm so happy working with the people I'm working with. They're making a huge effort at communicating with me and making sure we're up to speed ahead of the first race.

"I'm developing as a person, as a driver," he added. "Moving from one company to another, it's re-energising. You have to be more focused than ever, be on time more, and be more productive. Overall there's just enjoyment about being in a new environment."

Ignoring the fact that it is the sponsors who pay the bills - ask any of those drivers trying to get into - or back into - the sport, it will be interesting to see how Lewis feels should Mercedes not take a major step forward this year. As someone who has been racing since he was a child, all the freedom in the world doesn't come anywhere close to winning.