Hamilton making sure Mercedes 'hits the ground running' in Austria

Lewis Hamilton has been checking up on his Mercedes team lately, making sure the Silver Arrows squad and himself gear up properly for the start of the season in Austria and "hit the ground running".

Formula 1's 2020 campaign has been severely disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, forcing upon the sport and its teams an unprecedented situation.

By the time drivers line up on the grid on July 5 at the Red Bull Ring, seven months will have gone by since their previous race F1 start, which took on December 1 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

Such a span in time will entail inevitable consequences insists Hamilton.

• Hamilton no fan of sim racing, with one exception

"I do hope I'm going to come back better," Hamilton said in a video released on Mercedes' YouTube channel.

"We're probably going to get in the car and have Friday practice and we're all going to be as rusty as hell!"

The six-time world champion emphasized the need for his team and himself to prepare for the special set of circumstances that will hopefully occur in July.

"I've been on the phone with my team, speaking to Bono [Peter Bonnington] and speaking to James [Vowles], and trying to discuss with them a plan," he said.

"I think we all need to make sure we arrive utilising all the tools we have like race simulations.

"I probably will get in the simulator, which I don't always love, but utilising those tools to make sure that when we come to that first race, we hit the ground running and we're ready as if we've not missed any of the races.

"It's how can we arrive in Austria like we've already done eight races. That's going to be the real challenge. I don't know if we're going to be able to do it, but that's a good goal to have."

Formula 1's forced hiatus has provided drivers with a lot of free time and perhaps a period of reflection, one during which Hamilton has sought to "improve and grow", mentally and physically.

"I think if you are not improving and growing during these days, then what are we doing? You’re obviously just wasting time sitting on your backside," he commented.

"There's nothing going to be handed to any of us, we've got to go out there and get whatever we want, and you've got to want it more than the person you're fighting against. And you've just got to get off your arse and do it.

"I'm in pretty decent shape, but I can always be in better shape. I see things and I think, 'Damn, I've got a bit of fat here, shoot I've got to work harder, I've got to go for a run.’

"In actually reality I don't really have much fat! But there are people out there that have these things going through their minds, but you've just got to let go, find what it is you like, and say I'm going to do it, I'm not going to let anybody get in my way."

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