Lauda: Hamilton is “perfect” in his head

Non-executive director of Mercedes AMG, Niki Lauda can closely interact with the star brand’s drivers, both of whom are contending for the championship title. For the past three races, the positive momentum seems to be on Nico Rosberg’s side, who won in Monaco and in Austria, each time ahead of Lewis Hamilton but also, notably, finished second in Canada while his teammate retired.

Lewis Hamilton nonetheless did not seem as affected by his second place behind the German in Austria as he was in Monaco. Niki Lauda believes that the Briton is stable on a psychological level: « In no case is he unsettled. I don’t need to coach him at all. I can tell you, I’ve known him for a long time and he is absolutely perfect in his head. There’s nothing wrong, he is extremely motivated and there’s no problem on this point, » he stated to The Scotsman.

The Austrian, world champion in 1975, 1977, and 1984, relies notably on the reaction of the native of Stevenage after the Austrian Grand Prix qualifiers to support his statements: Even on the mistake in qualifying, he said: It was my fault and he immediately corrected it in the race, so there is no concern about it. Indeed, after his braking error during his last timed lap, Hamilton was pushed back to ninth place on the starting grid. However, by the end of the first lap, he had caught up with Nico Rosberg.

With a 29-point deficit to his teammate, Lewis Hamilton is, for the first time this year, more than one win behind the championship leader (even though the last race in Abu Dhabi will be worth 50 points): « Unfortunately, there is now a big gap, that’s for sure, because Lewis’s previous race in Montreal was a disaster for him. But he will keep fighting, don’t worry. He will be even more motivated going to Silverstone after this result and with the points difference. »

« He knows who needs to battle hard now and beat his own teammate to close the gap. Wait for Silverstone, I can guarantee that he’ll be there. I told him to go to Silverstone and not to worry. I have no doubt that he will fight there. It’s his home Grand Prix, and with the crowd behind him, his confidence will rise. It’s a race that comes at the right time. » The British Grand Prix will be held from July 4th to 6th and will be fully covered on Motors Inside.

In conclusion, Niki Lauda asserts that the battle between Rosberg and Hamilton is healthy: « They have been pushing each other since the first day in Melbourne […] They are attacking hard. There is no discussion about it and nothing happens. They are doing a perfect job. They are professional, they don’t collide, and they put the whole team at the front, so it couldn’t be better. »