LH44: Strike Back In Sochi

Lewis said: "People don't realise how hard we work in the background. It has got tighter as the season has gone on and we welcome that.

"But at the same time, we have to be doing a better job. We were doing such a great job at the start of the year, and we had this gap in the championship, but that gap can easily go. I am under no illusion, just like my gap in the championship could disappear. It is not won yet, we have got to pull our socks up! We can squeeze more out of this car and this team, together we can do that.

"We all feel not great right now and that's a good thing because if anyone in the team feels relaxed now, they need talking to, because we should all be feeling the pain and we go to the next race and try to do better.”

Valtteri added: "I am looking forward to the Russian Grand Prix. I feel like I have some unfinished business in Sochi. It has been a good track for me and I need to make sure it will be again. It will be a strong track for Ferrari with the straights, but I will go there with a good feeling.

"We know Ferrari have made better steps forward than us and all we can do is make the car quicker.”

The flag drops in Sochi on Sunday the 29th September.