ENNIS-HILL: TOP-FORM KAT WILL GET CREAM OF SUCCESS
Lewis gets day off as team mourn Mercedes mentor
IN-FORM Katarina JohnsonThompson looks ready to achieve global success, says Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill.
The Olympic and three-time world champion did not see the best of her younger team-mate when the pair were competing together.
But all that has changed in the course of a year, which has brought about a transformation in the 26-year-old Liverpudlian.
“Kat just seems like a different athlete,” said Ennis-Hill.
“You can see it in her whole demeanour. The way she carries herself, she’s more relaxed, more assured.”
A world indoor title 14 months ago was followed by the Commonwealth crown, then outdoor silver and indoor gold at LEWIS HAMILTON’S grief over the death of his idol Niki Lauda has threatened to hamper his Monaco Grand Prix preparations. The world champion was due to appear on stage in Monte Carlo yesterday alongside Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo and Robert Kubica.
But following the death of Mercedes supremo Lauda at the age of 70 on Monday, the team agreed with the FIA – Formula One’s governing body – to excuse him from his media commitments. Silver Arrows team-mate Valtteri Bottas was told at the last minute to attend the pre-race press conference instead. And the Finn said: “Niki was a big part of the Mercedes family.
“He was a massive motivation for myself as a driver for everything he achieved and the difficult career he had.
“It is not nice in terms of a the European Championships. In Austria this weekend, she starts as favourite to win the Gotzis Hypo-Meeting, the biggest non-championship multi-events competition in the calendar.
And three-time Gotzis winner Ennis-Hill believes KJT’s time has finally arrived.
“I definitely think Kat’s reaching her peak,” added EnnisHill. “The medals she has won mindset to the team, but I am sure we can respect Niki by going flat out on track and getting a good result this weekend.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who used to travel to races with his Austrian compatriot, was also excused from his planned media session.
The reigning constructors’ world champions arrived in Monaco having secured a record five successive one-two results.
Five-time world champion Hamilton, having won three of the opening five races, leads Bottas by seven points in the drivers’ standings.
But their preparations have been clouded by the tragic death of the three-time world champion who has been a virtual ever-present in the paddock for five decades.
Lauda was appointed nonexecutive chairman of Mercedes in 2012 and convinced Hamilton to sign from McLaren.
The Briton has since won four titles with the team and Mercedes are on course to record an unprecedented sixth consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 2019. have given her a massive amount of confidence.
“Heading into Gotzis, the age she is, the form she’s already shown indoors, she’s got everything there for her.
“It’s about grabbing it and building on it for the Worlds in Doha this autumn – then having that confidence and, hopefully, success to take her to the Olympics.”