David Coulthard on how Hamilton can gain the edge on teammate Nico Rosberg, starting with this weekend’s British GP
Employ a ‘maximum attack’ strategy
“At this stage, 29 points behind Nico [Rosberg], Lewis must be committed to a strategy of maximum attack. I think what helps Nico is that they’ve known each other since they were teenagers, so Lewis would need to do something out of the ordinary to shock him. It’s not in Lewis’s makeup to get dirty. So it’ll be difficult for him to come out as some Vinnie Jones of the F1 world, but he has to rattle Nico.”
Forget about Alonso and co
“Red Bull won in Canada and Williams were on pole in Austria, but eight races in, it’s difficult to see anyone overhauling Mercedes. This is a straight battle between Nico and Lewis, and what he has to do is only concentrate on beating his teammate. He has more speed than Nico, and if you are quicker that gives you track position, which should convert to wins”
Befriend the also-rans
“Lewis won’t give a second’s thought to [rival teams] Marussia or Caterham, but he could chat to their drivers. When he comes up to lap them, he wants them looking in the mirror, thinking, ‘Lewis is my friend, I won’t p*ss him off’. Whereas if you look in your mirrors and it’s someone you don’t particularly like, you’ll think, ‘I’ll hold him up for another corner’.”
Soak up Silverstone
“Home advantage is vital. In a Nigel Mansell kind of way, Lewis really draws on support. If he sees British flags and Mercedes hats, he’ll feel loved and respected, and will want to deliver for the crowd. Some guys are more machine-like – they just do their job and go home, but for Lewis, it’s sincere.”
Coulthard will commentate on the 50th Grand Prix at Silverstone, live on 6 July on BBC Two at 12pm
(Images: Rex/PA)
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