Toto Wolff says the way Lewis Hamilton has responded to adversity in China underlines his "mind-blowing" personal transformation since joining Mercedes.
Hamilton will start Sunday's race from the back of the grid after being hit by an MGU-H issue in Q1. Hamilton was known to be temperamental in his younger days at McLaren, most notably during a crash-strewn season in 2011, but has been praised for his improved mental toughness since his successful switch to Mercedes in 2013.
The world champion's extravagant personal life has become well-documented in recent times but Wolff says that is just proof Hamilton has discovered his true self.
"He's in a great place," Wolff said. "The development I've seen with him as a personality is mind-blowing over the last three years he's been with the team. He's won two championships and found himself I think as a person. And you can imagine how much pressure he has on with all the people who criticize and nevertheless he follows his instinct and he follows his way and that seems to be functioning and for the team it's great.
"We have two very competitive drivers who are in good spirits and who have integrated so well in the team and give energy to the team and push them forward. The Lewis I've seen today, coming straight back to the garage after such a situation and shaking everybody's hand and giving them a little clap of support leaves me with my mouth open."
Told about his boss' comments later, Hamilton agreed he has grown a lot since his move to the Brixworth team.
"Firstly that's very warming to hear that from Toto, someone I respect highly, and who has been a real part of this journey that I'm on," he said. "It is just a part of the growing process. Since I've been in F1 my friends have been 'you don't know who you are,' and I guess searching for yourself... I just feel comfortable in who I am, and I'm happy. I don't really know how to explain it.
"It's definitely a positive, there's no negatives in it. I hope it can reflect in a much better result than it's looking like at the moment this year. For sure my mentality is perhaps a little bit different, more relaxed. It doesn't mean I'm not happy -- I'm fighting for the world championship, and at the moment, [Nico is] walking away with it."
Despite Nico Rosberg looking favourite for a sixth consecutive victory in China Hamilton is not worried about his poor start to the 2016 championship fight.
"There's a long, long way to go, so there's no real need to be too stressed about it, there's no reason to dwell on what just happened an hour ago, because there's nothing I can do. All I can do is try and shape the future, and that's really what I'm trying to put my energy towards. Zero energy to what's behind me, 100 percent energy to what's in front."