Following a frustrating race for Lewis Hamilton at the 2016 European Grand Prix in Baku last time out, where engine setting problems ruined any chance he had of winning, the Brit is looking to bounce back in style as we head to Spielberg for the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend.
“Baku started out great but, clearly, it just wasn’t meant to be that weekend. It’s a shame I wasn’t really in the race – but there’s no point talking about ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. It’s one to put behind me, take the positives in terms points on the board and move on.”
Victory in Austria has so far eluded the Mercedes AMG PETRONAS driver, but it is certainly a track the Brit would love to master, and this weekend would be as good a time as any for the current world champion to complete that feat.
“We’ve got an old school track there in Spielberg. It’s fast, with a good flow to it. It’s tough to overtake but there are places you can try something different so that’s a good challenge.
“It’s definitely a big advantage starting up front there, though, so I need to get back on it in qualifying and do a better job than last time out.
“Austria is a beautiful country and I always enjoy my time there, so it would be great to get a win there and tick it off the list. That’s the aim, as always, so let’s see how it goes.”
After missing out on some valuable points in Azerbaijan, Hamilton will be looking to capitalise this weekend and take back the momentum. With the W07 looking mighty last time out in Baku, it will be interesting to see how those gains match up against the competition at a different track, and whether they are still applicable when they come up against the characteristics of the Spielberg circuit, or whether it was just a one-off step forward in Azerbaijan.
