The sport has introduced a host of new regulations for the upcoming season - with drivers able to use several power modes during a race - but the seven-time world champion fears that it won't be easy for others to follow.

Speaking at the pre-season test in Bahrain, Hamilton told reporters: "None of the fans are going to understand it, I don't think. It's so complex.

"It's ridiculously complex. I sat in a meeting the other day and they're taking us through it. It's ike you need a degree to fully understand it all."

Quizzed on whether winning races will now come down to who can manage their battery the best, the Ferrari driver added: "I have no clue, mate. I have no idea what's going to happen. I can't even answer that question.

"Energy management is going to be key. Which team is most on top of deployment and which driver is on top of that most."

However, Hamilton did play down how difficult it will be for drivers to manage the different elements over the course of a race weekend.

The British racer said: "In terms of managing it, it's pretty straightforward, I would say. Maybe in race trim, it's going to be different. We will see.

"But then there also is a system that can automatically, you know, once you finish a lap, it learns the way that you're driving. But say, for example, you lock up and go wide, you cover more distance, it affects that algorithm. So we're just trying to get on top of it and understand it. But everyone's in the same boat."