Hamilton: Bottas doesn't have to slow down

Lewis Hamilton is sentenced to a comeback race at the Austrian GP following his 5-place penalty on the Red Bull Ring grid in Spielberg. The Briton gave way in qualifying against his rival Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) by a little more than a tenth, hampered in his last attempt by the yellow flag following the stop on the track of Romain Grosjean (Haas).

The pilot Mercedes However, hopes to return to the front while the weather is uncertain for the race and he will be the only driver in the top ten to start on super soft tires, but does not expect to benefit from an instruction of team where he would benefit from help from Valtteri Bottas who will start on pole.

“It wouldn't make sense for Valtteri to slow down. It's not going to happen. He must attack as hard as possible to win the race, assures Lewis Hamilton. Supersoft tires shouldn't offer much difference. It’s a slower compound (than the ultra-soft tire) and the objective is to extend the first stint, but many things can happen: safety car, rain…”

Lewis Hamilton intends to gain places in the peloton and prevent Sebastian Vettel from increasing his lead, but the Briton is not focusing on his teammate Valtteri Bottas.

« Valtteri was the fastest all weekend. I don't really have victory in mind at the moment." admits Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton won the Austrian Grand Prix last year after starting from 2nd place behind his former teammate Nico Rosberg.