Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Lewis Hamilton will use racial abuse to fire him to victory at the British Grand Prix

TOTO WOLFF insists Lewis Hamilton will use the race-hate to fuel his bid to win at Silverstone on Sunday.

Hamilton has bagged SEVEN of the past eight British Grands Prix but is yet to taste victory this season.

However, his Mercedes boss Wolff says triple-world champion Nelson Piquet’s disgusting racial slur will motivate Hamilton to go for more glory on his favourite track.

The Austrian, 50, told SunSport: “The more adversity Lewis faced in the past, the better his performances.

“It’s something that fuels him — and if we give him a car which is just a few tenths off the leaders, he will win the race.

“Him and Silverstone will compensate for a car which is slightly off the pace. But he knows he cannot have miracles.”

Hamilton holds the record for the most wins at Silverstone after taking the chequered flag eight times in his 15-year F1 career.

Speaking at an event to announce the auction of an IWC watch — with all proceeds going to Ignite, a joint charitable initiative operated by Mercedes and Hamilton — Wolff added: “Lewis deserves a strong result because he has been particularly unlucky this season.

“He’s the most complete driver ever but everyone has their favourite circuits.

“If you have 150,000 people cheering for you on the grandstand it gives you the home advantage.”

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Hamilton has been distracted in the build-up to the British GP after having to condemn Bernie Ecclestone after the former F1 chief suggested he should have "brushed aside" the racist comments.

But he is looking forward to his homecoming and could finish a horror week in style by taking the chequered flag at Silverstone yet again.