Wolff: 'It's time momentum changes for Hamilton'

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says it has not been the best of times for Lewis Hamilton lately and that a change of momentum is in the cards.

Indeed, the three-time world champion has battled some bad luck in the last two races while title rival Sebastian Vettel has extended his lead to 20 points over the Brit.

Wolff lost no time after Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix in owning up to his driver's misfortunes.

"In my opinion Lewis had all the bad luck that you can have," Wolff told reporters.

"We’ve let him down with the headrest, we’ve let him down with the gearbox. Now it’s about time to fight back and hopefully that’s going to happen in Silverstone.

"Generally, I feel that he didn’t have a great time most recently. He didn’t have a great time in the race today because he was suffering from the car and the tyres, he didn’t have a great time with the gearbox troubles and the headrest," he added.

"So it’s about time that this changes, the momentum goes in the other direction."

Hamilton 'did best I could' on tough day in Austria

The Mercedes chief is nowhere near conceding to arch-rivals Ferrari however, insisting that there is still everything to play for this season.

"Lewis is still right in the fight," Wolff said.

"It's not even half time in the championship and there are 275 points still to be won. Our target will be to let him fight back in the best possible way in Silverstone."

Hamilton offered a somewhat defeated demeanor to the media yesterday afternoon, admitting the end result in Austria was not good but also saying it could have been worse.

"Twenty points behind is 20 points," said Hamilton. "It's not great. But it could have been 30 today.

"I don't think there's a call for me to do anything else than I'm already doing. It's not like the team aren't on my side or they're not working hard or I'm not pushing them hard enough.

"I just have to keep driving the way I have been and hope things get better."

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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.