Hamilton wary of Ferrari as Silverstone looms

ajike July 7, 2016

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Formula One heads to Silverstone on the back of rising tensions between Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

After a collision resulted in the duo crashing out of the Spanish Grand Prix, contact at the Red Bull Ring last weekend resulted in front-wing damage for Rosberg and the loss of a spot on the podium.

Hamilton, who raced away for maximum points, denied any fault for the incident and championship leader Rosberg was handed a 10-second penalty for causing a collision, though the punishment had no bearing on the outcome of the race.

Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff was angered by what he deemed “brainless” driving in the immediate aftermath, suggesting that team orders could be deployed as a result.

However, on Wednesday a Mercedes statement insisted the pair were free to race, paving the way for what will hopefully be another exciting, action-packed Sunday at Silverstone.

MORE THAN TWO HORSES

Hamilton’s victory in Austria moved him to within 11 points of Rosberg in the drivers’ standings.

The double-defending champion, looking for a third successive British Grand Prix triumph, holds a 46-point lead over Ferrari duo Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen and is not ruling them out of contention for a title challenge.

“I don’t think it’s a two-horse race, it’s the same as it’s been since we began,” said Hamilton.

“Ferrari are still there, Sebastian’s had a couple of unfortunate races but they’re still a force to be aware of and it’s definitely a nicer position to be in.

“I’ve definitely seen worse days and worse times, I was 43 points behind at some point. I’m still behind but it’s not impossible to climb back.”

BUTTON BUOYED BY BRITISH RETURN

A best finish of the season in Austria, where he placed sixth, sends Jenson Button to Silverstone with a positive mindset.

The 2009 world champion has never managed to finish on the podium at the British Grand Prix, but that does not stop him enjoying the chance to race on home soil.

“As a British driver it’s the fans [that make it special]. I camp here, as a few drivers do, and when you drive from the motorhome site – glamping I think it’s called – you see all the people, you see union jacks, all the kits,” said Button.

“They come here to support who they like. If you drive past someone with a Renault hat on and you’re British he’s still going to support you and wish you luck which is what makes this race so special.”

THE CIRCUIT

F1 returns to the place where its first championship race was held this weekend in Silverstone.

The track has, of course, changed vastly in the intervening period, and the most recent alteration saw the start-finish line moved for the 2011 Grand Prix.

The circuit length is 5.891 kilometres and includes a mix of high-speed turns and long straights on the throttle.

WEATHER FORECAST

Despite summer edging closer in Great Britain, the weather has remained hugely interchangeable.

Conditions are likely to be cloudy from Friday through to Sunday, with a chance of rain in both qualifying and on raceday.

TYRES

Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren have all opted for different tyre allocations at the British Grand Prix.

Mercedes have gone for one hard set, five mediums and seven softs for Hamilton and Rosberg, while Ferrari have opted for an extra set of hard and soft tyres.

Red Bull also have two hard sets per driver, though they are taking more mediums than the Ferraris.