British Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button confident of good show at Silverstone
There was much speculation that the McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button would be going hard at each other at the British Grand Prix, but as the race approaches all of that could not be any further than the truth.
The two British drivers, ahead of the race at the Pre-British GP media event, were dressed in body armour and carrying AK-47 like fake guns equipped with paint balls. The duo refrained from taking shots at each other and showed solidarity in front of the Fourth Estate.
Even though it was all fun and games, Hamilton was hit by a paintball painfully on his backside, causing the former world champion to jump and yelp in pain. But when faced with an opportunity to shoot a paintball at his teammate, Hamilton decided to spare Button.
The camaraderie and spirit on display, many believed, was not just for the media, and was actually the friendship and understanding between the two that has seen them capture the top 2 slots in the driver standings, despite having cars that are slower by a great distance compared to Red Bull.
Having said that, the bond between the two will be put to its most stern test this weekend, when around 120,000 fans flock to the stands to witness the duel between two of their home-grown drivers, and rest assured, Button and Hamilton will both be looking to shine in front of their home fans at Silverstone.
The race is tagged as the Battle of Britain and takes place on Sunday, when incidentally the World Cup final in South Africa will also be happening. The England football team came back from the World Cup after crashing out at the Round of 16. The England cricket team, on the other hand, has been doing quite well against Australia in the past week. Home fans will be looking at the two British drivers to come up with the goods at the home track, and bring more sporting glory to their nation.
Jenson Button strongly believes that the Silverstone track will suit McLaren, and the reconfigured track will not give Red Bull and Ferrari as much assistance.
Button said that he has never been in the top three at the British Grand Prix, but he will make sure he achieves that record this time around.
Button added that the new layout of the track will help McLaren make use of the high speed circuit to the max, and there is a new slow speed section added that will be challenging for other teams.
McLaren’s other driver, Lewis Hamilton, is equally confident, and he has been ahead of Button in pretty much all the races so far, apart from Barcelona, where due to a puncture late in the race, he could not finish the race. Therefore, Hamilton has every reason to be optimistic about his chances.
The 2008 champion Hamilton, when asked if he had the edge over his teammate, chose to answer by saying that he believes that he has been driving well throughout the season, but has been short on luck.
Hamilton said that of course some luck is needed, but it does make a difference if you have the measure of one driver as then you can focus on the rest of the pack.
Looking at the big picture, Hamilton has had some good luck this season, especially looking at the Valencia GP where the stewards delayed the decision to fine him after the safety car violation. By the time the judgement came in, he had taken a big lead and ended up finishing 2nd. He did engage in a verbal war with Ferrari and specifically his former teammate Fernando Alonso, but the fact remains that he is on top of the driver standings (with 127 points.)
This British Grand Prix may yet prove to be a significant one as far as the rivalry between the two British drivers is concerned, and eventually may result in determining the outlook of the driver standings.
Tags: