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Toto Wolff has admitted Mercedes still have “a mountain to climb” as Silverstone braces itself for Lewis Hamilton fever.

The British Grand Prix weekend has long been a sell-out - tickets went at a record rate - and a staggering 356,000 people are expected to be at the circuit over Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A crowd of 142,000 is expected for the race itself and a huge majority will be cheering on Hamilton and his team-mate George Russell.

And after Hamilton managed a podium finish in Montreal a fortnight ago, with Russell a place behind, there has been unusual optimism from his followers and signs that Mercedes are getting back on track after a dismal start to the 2022 season.

Throw in Hamilton’s magnificent record around his home track - he has won EIGHT times at Silverstone - and plenty of supporters are more than hopeful that Hamilton could drive to his first victory of a troubled campaign. The seven-times world champion also has last season’s epic win at the track - following a controversial coming-together with Max Verstappen - relatively fresh in his memory.

On top of that, Wolff has been making encouraging noises but as the Formula One roadshow set up at Silverstone, he was quick to try and lower the growing expectations. “Canada was our fifth podium of the season and we were happy to collect solid points,” said the Mercedes team principal. “But while we can be pleased with the flashes of speed that the W13 showed, there's