Mercedes technical director James Allison says Lewis Hamilton has doubled down on his efforts to help his team improve its performance and bridge its gap to championship leader Red Bull.
Mercedes' fourth consecutive defeat conceded to its rival and Max Verstappen last weekend in Styria has compelled the Brackley squad to regroup and dig in in a bid to unlock more speed from its W12 and to try and keep Red Bull's RB16B on a short leash.
Allison revealed last weekend that contrary to team boss Toto Wolff's initial comments, Mercedes would bring updates to its W12 and also work to improve its power unit's energy management.
But Hamilton is also doing his part, sparing no effort to help his team and himself. As a testimony to the seven-time world champion's determination, the Briton recently spent many hours in Mercedes' simulator in Brackley, something the 98-time Grand Prix winner has rarely done in the past.
©Mercedes
“He wants to be driving a car that allows him to showcase his skill,” said Allison on the F1 Nation podcast.
“But he is absolutely brilliant for us in these circumstances because he is so focused on winning and on championships that his response to a situation like this is just to re-double his contribution.
“He was in our factory running a lot of simulator laps last week, and he is committed as anybody to making sure we find the edge we need to to be able to put pressure on the Red Bull in front, and you see him at his absolute best.”
As Verstappen and Hamilton duke it out at the front, their respective teammate's are doing there best to remain in the mix while also assuming an all-important buffer role relative to each other to maximize their team's points haul.
As such, Allison underscored how Valtteri Bottas is also a vital element of Mercedes' overall package.
“Valtteri is the one whose mood is a little more unchanging, he remains the sort of implacable figure he has always been,” said the British engineer who labeled the Finn a "top rank" driver.
“He had a strong weekend in the car [in Styria], qualifying a whisker ahead of Lewis, and was determined to get every point he could from the weekend.
“So we see the best from them in supporting us and pushing us, but in a way that is helpful, not sort of finger-pointy or destructive.”
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
