Hamilton heads to Brackley to understand ultrasoft enigma

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Lewis Hamilton is due for a day of hard work at his team's headquarters in Brackley today as Mercedes attempts to resolve the chronic tyres issue affecting its W08.

Hamilton was out of contention for most of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, qualifying out of the top-ten and scoring his worst result of the year when he finished seventh.

Mercedes' W08 appears to struggle when specifically shod with Pirelli's ultrasoft tyre, a compound which will also be in wide use in Canada next week, a prospect which worries Hamilton.

"It's only the ultra-soft that's been an issue, so that's really what I have got to try and understand with the team this week," said the Brit.

"There's so many different things we have got to look into to try and understand why one car could make it work and the other couldn't.

"Whether it's multiple laps, whether it's backing off, utilising the fronts more than the rears, whether it's making a more understeery car, an oversteery car, all these different things, brake balance, all these different things, need to start looking into.

"I will definitely look further into it."

Hamilton: 2017 title battle is far from over

Historically, Montreal is favourable terrain for Hamilton who has won five of the last ten races at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

But the three-time world champion will likely be challenged to add a sixth Canadian Grand Prix to his impressive tally.

"It's definitely going to be a difficult one," he admits.

"As soon as we get on top of that ultra-soft then I think that it puts us in a much better position to attack with an undercut and that's what we really need.

"Montreal has been a great hunting ground for me in the past and I plan for it to continue.

"We are going to work very, very hard in the next two weeks to make sure the car is in a place to make sure we are ahead of those Ferraris."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.