Hamilton won’t put his feet up

– Championship leader Lewis Hamilton (above) has no intention of lazing on a beach as Formula One takes its annual European summer break following his resounding triumph in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Instead, he plans to fine-tune his physical and mental fitness in readiness to turn up the heat in his closely-fought title duel with Sebastian Vettel next month.

The defending champion, who opened up a 24-point lead over Vettel by winning Sunday’s race for a record sixth time, said he wants to come back stronger.

“The second half of the season is always intense, but it is usually when it gets a bit better on our side,” he said, referring to his Mercedes team, in the aftermath of their polished win.

“So we will go away and prepare and make sure we come back stronger.”

Hamilton’s victory was a near-perfect send-off for him and Mercedes as the F1 circus set off for a four-week break that will end when the teams return to action in Belgium at the end of August.

After his epic success in the rain in Germany, where he won from 14th on the grid, his Hungarian victory was another blow to Ferrari after two race weekends they may prefer to forget.

But Hamilton refused to be drawn into title talk and warned that, with nine races remaining, more epic contests lay ahead.

“Absolutely not,” he said, dismissing the idea that he was closing in on a fifth title.

“It is far too early. You have seen the ups and downs we have had – we’ve been ahead, then behind, then ahead. I don’t believe there is ever a moment you have got your hands on the trophy...”

Hamilton was also full of praise for Mercedes’ teamwork.

“The teamwork me and Valtteri had, it worked pretty well,” he said, pointing to the start and opening lap when they fended off a concerted Ferrari attack.

Hamilton also praised Bottas for his selfless driving, when he had to cover the threat of Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari, whose early pit-stop, forced Mercedes to follow suit.

“He had to cover Kimi and that was unfortunate because that’s a long, long way to go on the soft tyres…” –

Budapest

We will go away and prepare and make sure we come back stronger.

Lewis Hamilton Defending champion