Motorsport: Fallout from Austria like to hang over Silverstone

Lewis Hamilton during the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria. Photo / Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton doesn't need to fear boos or whistles at Silverstone this weekend but the Formula One world champion cannot escape the fallout from Austria as he chases a fourth British Grand Prix victory.

The Mercedes driver was jeered after he won in Spielberg last Monday following a last-lap collision with team mate Nico Rosberg, who limped home fourth with his overall lead cut to 11 points.

The abuse could be explained by the German presence in the crowd, with stewards punishing Rosberg for causing the collision as Hamilton attempted to seize the lead.

Silverstone is sure to be different, with many of the 140,000 at the old airfield being there to cheer on the home hero who has won for the past two years.

The threat of 'team orders' hangs over proceedings, however, with Mercedes bosses meeting to discuss what to do after two costly collisions in five races.

Even if they decide on nothing more than another warning, the drivers can expect their every move on the track and body language off it to be closely monitored and analysed.

With the season approaching the halfway point, and a rush of three races before the summer break, passions are rising and the battle is intensifying.

If the drivers are ordered to hold station at a certain point, then the crowd may feel robbed.

The solution, Hamilton suggested, is to give Rosberg as little chance as possible and he will aim to do that on Monday at a circuit where last year the Briton won from pole position and set the fastest lap.

Rosberg will see it equally as a chance to turn the tables.

Both will have to watch out for Red Bull and Ferrari.

"The way the car has been working this year we should be pretty competitive at Silverstone," said Red Bull's Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

"I think it will be really close with Ferrari, so I'm excited."