My desire is to win - Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team driver, is looking forward to his home race this weekend, the Santander British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The rookie hopes to win in front of his British fans.
“I feel very excited about going to my home country and racing in front of my home crowd in Formula 1 for the first time. It is going to be an amazing experience and I am really excited. I love Silverstone and hopefully the weather is great, better than at Goodwood, and I have to try my best. Obviously I want to win, but this is racing, is it unpredictable!”
What are your targets for the Grand Prix?“To do the best job I can. I won there last year in GP2, and it would be another step of my dream to win at Silverstone this year, especially in front of my home crowd. The pressure is on and at the end of the day, the most important thing is to get points.”
You received massive support from the crowd last year at the GP2 race at Silverstone, how did that feel and what are your expectations for this year?“I can’t really begin to imagine what it is going to be like this year. I struggled to get around Magny-Cours last weekend and other circuits, but back on my home track I’m sure it is going to be even more of a challenge. I don’t know on what scale it will be, but I’m sure it will be hectic. However, the key is for me to race in front of the fans who having been giving me such support over the past few months and for them to have a good weekend, and to remember this is one race in 17!”
Apart from the race last year, what other memories do you have of the British Grand Prix?“I’ve had a couple of good races in the support events over the years. One was in 2002, I overtook one person per lap during the race after a problem in qualifying and I managed to finish in the top five, it was a good race to come from so far back. I had a few wins there in Formula Renault, which was great in front of the home crowd. Then of course last year with GP2, I had the most incredible weekend, with two amazing wins and the passing move through Becketts. So my memories are pretty good.”
Do you want to do well at this race more than the others during the season?“No, I don’t think that is how I look at it. For sure I want to win at every track, and it is not more on one circuit than on another, I just want to win, I am a racing driver and that is what pushes us. Obviously the great support will help provide motivation and I will do the best job that I can. However, the British race is just as important as all the others.”
Are you expecting any additional pressures as it is your home Grand Prix?“There is outside pressure, but I don’t pay any attention to that. I put pressure onto myself, that is my desire to win and to do a good job, that is the only force that is important.”
What message would you like to give to your home supporters?“I would like to thank everyone very much for their support, I hope to see you all at Silverstone, or if not that you enjoy watching the race at home. I am really looking forward to seeing you all and most importantly I hope you enjoy the race, whatever the result.”
Source McLaren
