Lewis Hamilton is “re-doubling” his efforts within Mercedes as the team looks to respond to Red Bull’s recent success.
The seven-time world champion has fallen 18 points behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship, while Red Bull is now 40 points clear in the Constructors’ standings after claiming four straight wins.
And with the prospect of now having to play catch up to retain their titles, Chief Technical Officer James Allison says that has only made Hamilton more determined.
“He wants to be driving a car that allows him to showcase his skill,” he told the F1 Nation podcast.
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“But he is absolutely brilliant for us in these circumstances because he is so focused on winning and on championships that his response to a situation like this is just to re-double his contribution.
“He was in our factory running a lot of simulator laps last week, and he is committed as anybody to making sure we find the edge we need to to be able to put pressure on the Red Bull in front, and you see him at his absolute best.”
Ironically, Allison explained how a “wacky” set-up developed by Hamilton in the simulator may have actually hurt his race pace last weekend, as it resulted in higher rear tyre wear.
But team boss Toto Wolff does think Mercedes heads into the second race in Austria better equipped to challenge Verstappen and Red Bull.
“Every time we hit the track; we race to win,” he stated in his pre-race preview, “but, while we missed out on the top step of the podium last time out, there was still plenty to be encouraged by.
“We head back [to the Red Bull Ring] this weekend with another big challenge on our hands but running on the same circuit on consecutive weekends brings opportunity too.
“We had an experimental Friday with the car set-up last weekend, and we hope to arrive in FP1 this weekend with the car in a happier place, ready to build from there.
“The tyre compounds are also a step softer this weekend, so that will bring a new challenge for all the teams and fresh possibilities in terms of strategy.
“This championship is a heavyweight contest over 23 rounds, and we’re just over a third of the way through.
“There are many opportunities to come and it’s still all to play for, so we’re excited for round nine.”