British Grand Prix: Hamilton targets home win to revive title bid

Mercedes driver believes he has the ability to challenge rivals.

SILVERSTONE: Lewis Hamilton heads into his home British Grand Prix this weekend bidding for a victory that could revive his title challenge and prove that his Mercedes team retain a speed advantage over their rivals.

The 29-year-old, who is 29 points behind German teammate Nico Rosberg in the drivers’ championship, believes he has the talent to triumph again – as he did in 2008 – and use that success as a launch-pad to his second title.

“I know that I’m 29 points down now, but even though I haven’t finished as many races as I would like – and I lost another seven points to Rosberg in Austria – there’s still a long way to go,” said Hamilton.



“I had a lot of pace in Austria, and although I didn’t capitalise on it, I’ll take it into the British Grand Prix and make sure I do. I’m excited about our pace. I’m going to Silverstone with the best package I’ve ever had, so I’m thrilled about that.

“I just have to execute that pace over a weekend, so I will work hard to make sure I do that. I believe I have the ability so I just have to harness it all and do my utmost.”

Hamilton has suffered two retirements this season while Rosberg has finished in the top two in all eight races to date, to demonstrate that the consistent man can often outscore a faster rival who wins more often, but also fails to finish.

One rival, Williams driver Felipe Massa, believes that Hamilton can feed off the energy of an expected 125,000 home crowd to win on Sunday.

“That pressure from racing at home can give you more energy,” said the Brazilian. “I have that when I race in Brazil. It works on the track because I am always strong there. Maybe with the support Hamilton will have this weekend, he can have the same feeling as well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2014.

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