Hamilton calls for 'serious conversations' at Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton has called for "serious conversations" at Mercedes after finishing behind McLaren at the British Grand Prix.

The Woking-based outfit introduced a major upgrade package for Lando Norris in Austria and rookie teammate Oscar Piastri benefited from the new parts at Silverstone, where the pair took second and third on the grid.

Norris was able to consolidate that position, despite a late-race onslaught from Hamilton who was on softer tyres.

Piastri would have finished third had it not been for an ill-timed Safety Car giving Hamilton the chance to make a free pit stop.

Mercedes, through Team Principal Toto Wolff and Hamilton, made reference to the strides made by McLaren since introducing the Red Bull-esque aerodynamic upgrade following qualifying, and after the race pace confirmed the improvement, Hamilton conceded the Silver Arrows must move forward.

Up-and-down season

"It's definitely been an up-and-down season and in the last year and a half," he told Sky Sports F1.

"Our car... we have a lot of work to do. I think I know exactly what we need to do and we need to have some serious conversations about what we're going to do moving forward.

"The McLaren is proof of the direction that they've gone, it was impressive how quick they were in high speed.

"We have strengths in our car, long runs are great. As soon as we get the rear-end they have, we're going to be on our way.

"That's what we have got to fight for. George [Russell, Hamilton's teammate] had a really great long stint on the Soft tyre, I did also on the Medium.

"We have got to hold onto the good bits and just add on some other stuff."