Mercedes' current situation of trying to fight back against Red Bull has sparked different reactions in Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, according to Chief Technical Officer James Allison. The Silver Arrows have dominated Formula 1 in recent years but are now finding things more challenging. This is a very different situation to be in for Lewis Hamilton in particular, given his consecutive run of World Championships since 2017, but Allison has credited the Briton for how he is responding to the team's struggles. "He wants to be driving a car that allows him to showcase his skill," Allison told the F1 Nation podcast about Hamilton. "But he is absolutely brilliant for us in these circumstances because he's so focused on winning and on championships that his response to a situation like this is just to redouble his own contribution. "He was in our factory running a lot of simulator laps last week, and he is as committed as anybody to making sure that we find the edge that we need to to be able to put pressure on the Red Bull in front. And I think you just see him at his absolute best." Allison admits that Bottas is slightly different in that he remains his usual self in such circumstances. "Valtteri is someone whose mood is a little more unchanging, and he remains the sort of implacable figure he always has been," Allison said. "[At the Styrian Grand Prix he] had a strong weekend in the car, qualifying a whisker ahead of Lewis and determined to get every point he could from the weekend. "So we see the best from them in supporting us and pushing us, but in a way that is helpful. Not sort of finger-pointing or destructive." Max Verstappen currently leads Hamilton in the Drivers' Standings by 18 points, whilst Red Bull have a 40-point advantage over Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship.
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