Lew in dark but ready to light up Silverstone
LEWIS HAMILTON admits he was unaware of British fans’ frustrations after he failed to turn up for Formula One’s spectacular London parade on Wednesday night.
The Briton’s bizarre no-show was greeted by a number of jeers, with the 32-year-old scheduled to lead a starstudded cast as F1 took over the capital for a demonstration run in the build-up to Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
But Hamilton was the lone absentee of this year’s crop of 20 drivers after he chose to go on holiday instead.
Speaking about the negative reaction from fans, the triple world champion said: “To be honest I didn’t really know about it. My sole focus right now is on this weekend.
“I have received incredible love from the fans every year I have been here, and I’m looking forward to seeing them.”
Hamilton’s timing for his break is curious given that the British Grand Prix, a race he described as the most important on the calendar, is just days away.
Formula One also heads for its traditional four-week summer break next month in which the sport is effectively on shutdown for a fortnight.
“Everyone has the right to make the decision for themselves,” added Hamilton. “It’s been a pretty intense season so far and I felt, for me, I needed to prepare the best way I could for this weekend.
“People will have their opinions about it. I feel great. I feel the best-prepared I can be. I come here excited for the weekend as always.
“You’ve got the championship which is the most important thing, but a very close second, if not tied, is the British Grand Prix.
“Being a home grand prix, the home of motor sport, it’s such an incredible, intense weekend. Every year it’s a must-win for a British driver.”
Hamilton trails Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel by 20 points in the drivers’ championship ahead of this weekend.
The Mercedes driver has won the last three races at Silverstone and intends to give the home fans something to cheer about on Sunday.
“I like to think I do what I can to connect to the fans. The fans mean everything to me,” he added.
“I’ve recently visited children in hospital who can’t come to a grand prix. That’s not reported on but it’s important to me.”