Hamilton - Every moment magnified in a shortened F1 season

Lewis Hamilton is under no illusion as to the intensity of the spotlight that will shine on him during what will be a shortened Formula 1 season.

F1 is finally in a race week, with the sport returning in Austria this weekend following a near four-month lay-off, but facing a brutal schedule in a bid to squeeze in at least 15 races by mid-December.

While there can be no doubt the drivers will be prepared, Hamilton is aware just how difficult it will be to stay on it throughout the rush of races in a bid to win his seventh world title.

"One of the hardest challenges is staying consistent," said Mercedes driver Hamilton, speaking in a Petronas Motorsports video.

"Normally you’ve got 20 to 22 races, that is a long time. Generally, you have a little bit more gaps, so through experience, you’ve had time to take a breather and then get back at it.

“This year is slightly different because we’re going to be attacking a lot more, focussed [on] a smaller group of races, so even more crucial [is] the performance on each of those races.

“Being healthy, pulling out every single lap, every moment is going to count even more. It’s going to be magnified."

Equally as vital will be the behind-the-scenes preparation to ensure those on-track moments are as perfect as possible.

Hamilton added: "Being diligent in terms of the process of how much you travel, where you’re staying, how much sleep you’re getting, the diet you’re having, how much energy you let out and how you recover, and all these different things.

“Getting your mind in the right space, your team in the right space to deliver on the weekend. It’s going to be a tough one.”

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