Hamilton volunteers to test 2018 Pirelli tyres

Hamilton showed little interest in taking part in the 2017 Pirelli mule car programme at the end of last year, in marked contrast to current title rival Sebastian Vettel.

Many paddock insiders believe that even with careful restrictions imposed by Pirelli tyre, testing can be of huge benefit the drivers involved, and that Vettel and Ferrari gained from their focus on last year's running.

The week's test will also give Hamilton a useful chance to sample the 2018 French GP venue in a current car.

"I'll be doing a test later this week, which is very rare for me, I'm not a tester," said Hamilton. "I'm looking forward to it, I offered to do it, so I'm looking forward to that – kind of."

Hamilton will drive on Thursday, with Valtteri Bottas taking over on Friday.

Pirelli has conducted a strictly organised test programme for 2018, with all the teams taking part with their current cars.

Mercedes has already run one day with Bottas, a test that was combined with the general on in Budapest after the Hungarian GP.

The only remaining in-season tyre test days are on the Tuesdays and Wednesdays after the Mexican GP, with Sauber and Force India, and after the Brazilian GP, with McLaren.

Having already signed off on the future constructions, which had an FIA deadline of September 1, Pirelli is now focussing on compounds, which have to be defined by December 1.