Pressure, Lewis? What pressure?
Defeat by team-mate Valtteri Bottas, two penalties in one day and a lost podium on the last lap left Hamilton under considerable pressure heading into the second consecutive weekend at the picturesque circuit in the Styrian mountains. Were he to lose again, in a season that will inevitably feature fewer races than normal, the six-time world champion would have been forced firmly on to the back foot in his bid for a seventh title. But Hamilton batted away any suggestion his on-going campaign for the Black Lives Matter movement has distracted his focus and motivation. He was simply unbeatable this time around.
The 35-year-old’s performance during a drenched qualifying session, in which he ended up an eye-watering 1.2 seconds faster than nearest rival Max Verstappen, was among the finest of his long career. Then on Sunday, Hamilton delivered his 85th Formula 1 win with familiar, calm lights-to-flag domination to comfortably beat Bottas, who rose from fourth on the grid to pass Verstappen for second on the 67th of 71 laps.
On the face of it, a win, a second and a six-point championship lead over Hamilton is a pretty decent return for Bottas from Austria’s double-header. But the look in his eye in the post-race interview and his shrug judgement “it could have been better” made his feeling over Hamilton’s advantage this time all too obvious. As past experience proves, the Finn knows it will be vital he immediately regains the upper hand and the momentum in round three, which takes place this coming weekend at the Hungaroring.
Meanwhile, Verstappen, clearly disheartened by Red Bull-Honda’s deficiency to Mercedes in Austria, will be hoping the tight, downforce-craving circuit near Budapest will better suit his needs to get among the black cars – and this time remain there.