'Good Feeling to See Hard Work Paying Off': Lewis and George Preview Austria

On Thursday in Austria, both Lewis and George noted how the recent trackside mood has transferred to the factory. Lewis said: "There is a great energy in the team that we feel we have the direction that we want to be working towards.

"You can see that the people in the factory have a spring in their step.

"It is always a good feeling when you see the hard work from everyone paying off."

George added: "The team have done a great job in bringing developments through earlier than expected.

"The last few races have been positive for us, and we are excited to be back in the mix."

Those developments to W15 have brought about an encouraging upturn in fortunes. In addition to the first two Grand Prix podiums of the season, there was also a pole for George in Montreal.

More than a third of the team's points for the season have been secured in the past two races.

There will be two chances for W15 to go racing in Spielberg, with the third F1 Sprint weekend of the season.

It is the third season in a row the Austrian Grand Prix has hosted the alternative format, providing the drivers plenty of challenges over one of the shortest laps on the calendar.

Lewis said: "Getting a perfect lap is always tougher on these weekends.

"But we have got the car in a great place of late and the engineers have done a great job so hopefully that continues."

George said: "The short track will mean the lap times are going to be close, you have to treat every single lap like it is the last one of the day."