While administrators, critics, and others haggle over the entertainment value of Formula 1 in this era of Mercedes domination, many fans loyal to the sport will still follow the British Grand Prix happening at Silverstone this weekend.
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Lewis Hamilton is predicting a tough battle with Nico Rosberg as he bids to win his second British Grand Prix in as many years.
Asked how much performance he felt he had to come, on Saturday, he responded: “Hopefully, a lot…”
“It’s been OK, but not the easiest of days”.
The increased pressure of driving at home demands a certain extra something from the driver, and those fortunate enough to race in their native countries dig that little bit deeper to deliver victories.
The double world champion has had to deal with every aspect of his professional and personal life being examined with a fine tooth comb. “I have to sit down and work out where it is”.
Lewis Hamilton (photo right) said: “This trophy is full of class. It’s real silverware with a great history and that’s what I race for; this is the best reward you can get for winning”.
“I think that the fantastic thing with Lewis is the world is at his feet”, Mansell said. “I don’t know why they don’t make them the same any more”.
“The gold one is really special”. Firstly, when Romain Grosjean beached his Lotus in the gravel at Luffield, and then for a brief spell in the latter stages after Roberto Merhi, in his Manor, spun.
Rosberg added: “I will give you something good to write about this weekend”.
Force India, whose factory is across the road from the circuit, will meanwhile debut a much upgraded auto.
“I’m not that happy as the vehicle was a bit all over the place still but, in the end, I got the laps in”, he said.
“I’m hoping we have a race where we can actually just fight – one year it’s been hard for Nico with a auto issue and one year for me [in 2013 and ’14]”.
“So we have to be careful with that”.
Hamilton was a further tenth of a second adrift back in fourth after a ragged day that saw him fighting for balance and pace in a gusty wind and intermittent hot conditions in front of his home fans at Silverstone. “I have learned to keep believing, to push through and overcome the doubts”.
“It’s been an okay day”, the world champion said.
“I can’t think of another driver to whom that would apply”. “I’m very grateful to be recognised and to be among all the great names on it”.
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Silverstone hosted a huge 85,000 fans for Friday practice and there were some problems with traffic jams in the morning as a result of through traffic ignoring signs diverting them from the main A43 artery into the track.
