F1 briefing: pressure mounts on Lewis Hamilton in the title race

Lewis Hamilton admits there is more pressure on him this year now that Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari are providing greater competition in the Formula 1 title race.

Ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Hamilton is 17 points clear of Vettel in the championship. But he’s an outside bet for victory at the Hungaroring, ESPN reports, with Ferrari and Red Bull expected to be strong.

Speaking about Ferrari’s title challenge, the reigning champion said: “Last year I am sure we reached the same high in terms of pressure at some point, but... this year it is even closer than last year... so the smallest mistakes are even more costly.”

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Hamilton compared the race to other sports where the last short or serve is the most important point. Describing it as an “intense battle” he said: “We are racing a team [Ferrari] that is faster than us this year”.

He added: “We are having to over-deliver on race weekends and pull out more on weekends where we are not quick enough. The pressure to extract every millimetre of every ounce is greater than ever if I want to be number one at the end.”

Alonso: a Key appointment for McLaren

McLaren driver Fernando Alonso believes the appointment of James Key as the team’s new technical director “can only be a good thing”.

Key will join McLaren from Toro Rosso but Sky Sports reports that no other details about the move have been released as yet.

Alonso said: “Every man with talent and knowledge, as James has, who joins a team is always positive. He will bring a lot of knowledge and experience. He will be a great person to have.”

McLaren announced a shake-up of their management team earlier this month with racing director Eric Boullier resigning from his post. Gil de Ferran was appointed sporting director and Andrea Stella will be performance director.

Sainz waits on Ricciardo decision

Carlos Sainz has told Sky Sports F1 he’s waiting to see where Daniel Ricciardo is driving next season before confirming his own plans. Ricciardo is out of contract at Red Bull at the end of the campaign but no new deal has been confirmed.

Sainz is currently on loan from Red Bull to Renault and says it’s impossible to discuss his own future until Ricciardo’s is decided.

He said: “I know pretty much what’s going on. What I know... is that until Red Bull and Ricciardo don’t take a decision and don’t do an announcement my future is still uncertain as I still need to be available for Red Bull. Until that thing clears it’s impossible to say something and when that thing clears I will be the first one to start talking about it.”