Hamilton says 'bullet proof method required to move forward'

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Following Mercedes' spectacular collapse in Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton is urging the German squad to apply a "bullet proof" fix to its strategy calls.

Hamilton appears in control of the race at the outset following a strong start that saw the four-time world champion immediately overhaul poleman and team mate Valtteri Bottas.

The latter's unexpected demise following a hydraulic issue on lap 14 brought out the virtual safety car but the Mercedes camp opted to keep its leader out while both Ferrari and Red bull brought in their cars for fresh rubber.

The call would prove costly later on when Hamilton finally stopped only to rejoin in fourth position.

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Urged by his team to press on despite the strategic blunder, the #44 Mercedes came to a grinding halt when a fuel pressure problem emerged, leading to the team's first double DNF since Barcelona in 2016.

"I’m not going to lie, all areas we are going to have to work on," said a disappointed Hamilton.

"The car has been great all weekend. We were the quickest and to have two different faults on each car, which is very unusual but we really can’t throw away points.

"We’ve got to find a bulletproof method to move forward for strategy. If our car was still going it was an easy win for us.

"We were comfortably ahead but we will work on it and will try to re-evaluate to come back stronger for the next race."

While underscoring his team's need to put its head down, Hamilton remained confident in the Brackley's squad's ability to bounce back;

"Everyone in the team is really feeling the pain today but I think you just have to look at it, we’ve had such great reliability for so many years and as painful as it is, and we are perfectionists, we really have to take the rough with the smooth," he said.

"This is definitely the worst weekend for us I can remember for a long, long time. I have every confidence in my team that we’ll be able to bounce back."

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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.