Hamilton reluctant to enter simulator: "Can't say I like it"

Earlier James Allison, CTO of the Mercedes team, reported that Lewis Hamilton is working harder for this championship than ever before. Part of that is simulator work, something the world champion has often disapproved of.

However, when the need is there he does it, even if it is with some reluctance. "I can't say I like it," laughs Hamilton. "Some good things came out of it, but nothing very special. Overall it was positive," he said at the press conference to the likes of Motorsport-Total.com.

On Friday the drivers will test the new Pirelli tyres, which are likely to be used at Silverstone. However, Hamilton does not expect a big difference in performance. "I won't know until I've driven them, but I don't expect any big changes. That's usually the case when Pirelli introduce new tyres."

His expectations of the Austrian Grand Prix may not be as high, but at Silverstone the Mercedes driver sees opportunities. "I think we will do better there than here. It's a different layout with a different surface, so hopefully it's good ground for us," Hamilton said.