Hamilton relieved to have gone to the end in Austria

Fourth on the starting grid, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) aimed to try to end the streak of four ranked victories of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) this Sunday.

Although he managed to move up to 2nd place in the race, the Englishman had some technical problems with his car which made it fall back to its starting position. He was thus unable to stand up to his Dutch rival who won again on the Red Bull Ring.

« I lost support in the rear. I felt like I was slowing down, explained the seven-time world champion in the mixed zone. I'm happy to see the finish today even if it's frustrating to lose second place. We had done a good job getting there but it just wouldn't work today ».

Without a victory since May 9 and the Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton is lucid when taking stock of this period of scarcity. And despite his optimism, the Briton does not see how to catch up with Red Bull, at least in the short term.

“These last few races have been difficult, recognizes the main person concerned. Let's see what lies ahead but there's not much I can do at the moment. There is something new coming but it will not be enough to make up for all the delay so we must continue to work.

We are going to give the maximum of ourselves these next two weeks at the factory. We'll have to get the best out of the car because it doesn't work well for a reason. I hope things will get better ».

Outclassed for five weekends by Max Verstappen hears “ cut some time » before returning to competition at Silverstone for its national Grand Prix (July 16 to 18).

Find the analysis of the Austrian Grand Prix by our experts in AUTOhebdo No. 2319, available from Monday evening in digital version and on Wednesday on newsstands.