Hamilton: Austrian GP not a reality check for Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton insists the Austrian Grand Prix did not act as a reality check for Mercedes because the team has not been complacent about its start to the 2019 Formula 1 season.

Having won the opening eight races of the season, Mercedes endured its least competitive weekend of the campaign in Spielberg as engine-related overheating issues hampered both drivers in the race.

Valtteri Bottas salvaged a podium finish in third, while Hamilton was left to “cruise” to to a low-key fifth after picking up front wing damage, which added to Mercedes’ cooling problems.

Asked if he felt it had acted as a timely reality check for Mercedes, Hamilton replied: “I don’t think we needed a weekend like this to remind us.

“We’ve not been complacent at any of the races that we’ve had. It doesn’t do anything for us.

“We knew it would be a difficult weekend for us and it was probably more painful than we thought, but we haven’t been complacent at all.

“The guys have worked very hard and it was just one of those days.”

Hamilton reckons Mercedes could face similar issues at races such as Hungary and Mexico, events which typically take place in hot conditions.

“I honestly have no idea,” he explained. “I haven’t asked the guys but we haven’t had any problems up until here so I don’t know what hot circuits we have coming up.

“We’ve got Budapest coming up but who knows at other places. I don’t think it will be in a lot of places but I’m sure they’ll be another one like that, like Mexico maybe.”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff added: “I’m really hoping for the typical English weather in Silverstone so we can gain a little bit of time to sort our problems out.

“But there is no question - there is no alternative than to fix our problems for the coming hot European races, Hockenheim and Budapest. There is just no other option.”