Lewis Hamilton and George Russell engaged in a war of words and mind-games on Thursday ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, as both British drivers talked up each other's championship prospects. Hamilton's victory in Barcelona last time out moved him nine points clear of Russell and 41 behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli. It marked the first race this season that Mercedes failed to win, yet Russell insisted the pressure is on the Silver Arrows in the scorching heat of Spielberg, where the FIA has declared a heat hazard.
Russell Praises Hamilton and Ferrari Threat
“For sure, [Hamilton] is a big threat, Ferrari are a huge threat,” Russell said of his former teammate. “Kimi is still very much the driver out front and is performing really incredibly and consistently, but Ferrari feel like they're coming and Lewis is at the forefront of that.”
Hamilton, who dismissed talk of an eighth title after Barcelona, maintained his stance. “There's a long way to go. We're not arriving at this weekend thinking about the championship. We're thinking about this weekend, executing the best we can. My head has been back down, the sacrifices required to make sure I arrive 100 percent so I can deliver – especially knowing how far my performance reaches. I am thinking about each race, arriving and executing as we did at the last race, with pit-stops, with strategy, we were all in sync, and having that all in one weekend is the most important thing, and not about what is going to happen in 15 races' time.”
Ferrari's Engine Upgrade Could Be Key
This weekend could be pivotal for Ferrari's hopes of closing the gap to Mercedes. The Scuderia believes their car is every bit as good, if not better, than the Silver Arrow, except on the engine front where they have largely been unable to compete. However, Ferrari is bringing their first of two permitted power unit updates this season. Hamilton downplayed the impact but acknowledged the boost. “This weekend we do have a new engine. It's a step, it's not the whole gap, but it's a step, it's one foot forwards, which I'm really proud and thankful for.”
He added: “Still, Mercedes are the team to beat, they've won everything else and they've been just incredible this year. They've got a great car. It's an amazing team, a world championship team. We have a real battle on our hands and it's going to take absolutely everyone full hands-on deck for the rest of the year to even come close to competing with them, but I don't think it's impossible.”
