Toto Wolff - Racing on Lewis Hamilton Straight special for "whole" of Mercedes team

Mercedes

Wolff - Racing on Hamilton Straight special for "whole" of Mercedes team

The pit straight at Silverstone was renamed last year in Hamilton's honour

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 14 July 2021 18:58

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Toto Wolff believes the fact Lewis Hamilton has a section of Silverstone named after him whilst still actively racing is "testament" to his achievements in F1.

The British Grand Prix venue announced last year that the International Pit Straight - the start line for the F1 race - would be renamed the Hamilton Straight in the wake of his record-equalling seventh world title.

This weekend marks the first time the British driver will race on the track since he was given the honour and Wolff insisted it would be special for everyone at Mercedes.

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"This year we'll be racing on the Hamilton Straight for the first time, which will be a special moment for Lewis and the whole team," he said.

"I can't think of another example of an active driver being honoured in this way by a circuit - it's testament to what Lewis has achieved in this sport so far in his career.

"But I know come Saturday and Sunday, his only focus will be fighting for maximum points in this colossal championship fight."

Mercedes working "flat out" to deliver improved performance

Mercedes has failed to win any of the previous five races ahead of the British Grand Prix weekend, falling 44 points behind Red Bull in the race for the constructors' title.

After being on the receiving end of a Max Verstappen masterclass at the Austrian double-header, upgrades are being added to the W12 in the hope the gap between the two teams can be closed.

"Silverstone is an incredible track, fast and flowing, and one that we hope should suit our car better compared to Spielberg.

"We also have a few small updates on the car, and we look forward to seeing how they perform.

"We know we need to give Lewis and Valtteri [Bottas] the car to perform at Silverstone and everyone at Brackley and Brixworth is working flat out to deliver it."