HIT ’EM FOR SIX!

Hamilton: Fans’ energy can drive me to record

rue an out-of-sorts afternoon and he called on the sold- out Silverstone support to cheer him into history today.

“Valtteri did a great job and I wasn’t good enough,” said Hamilton. “But it’s a long race and we’ve got a great crowd here so we’ll see what we can do.

“It’s the best grand prix of the whole year and that is because of the energy the people bring. The tracks are brilliantly designed, but it’s the people that make this race the best.”

It was an uncharacteristic error from Hamilton – a winner of six of the opening nine races this season – on his first flying run, that ultimately handed Bottas the advantage.

The Brit was able to improve his time with a last-gasp effort but Bottas ripped up the form book and is now in the driving seat to spoil Hamilton’s recordhunting plans.

Hamilton had spent the build-up to his home race in Los Angeles but he denied his recent globe-trotting trips had an impact on his ability.

“I do have five world titles and they didn’t come on their own,” he said. “My preparation comes first and I’ve felt fantastic all weekend.

“The pressure’s quite e high, being a home grand prix. ix.

“I prepare the best I can an but

I do what I want, I don’t on’t do what you think I should d do or anyone else thinks I should hould do, and that’s what has led me to five world titles.”

For the resurgent Bottas, ttas, it was a first pole at

Silverstone and his fourth rth of a stunning season so far for the Finn. The gap ap between the two Merrcedes stars was the e c losest qualifying g margin since the

German GP nine years ago. Bottas (below) wasn’t bothered how his party-spoiling antics came, though, and will now look to follow it up with a third win of the campaign.

“When I got the radio call that I qualified on pole, I was just really happy – I’ve been missing missin this feeling,” he said.

“It’s very diffic difficult to beat Lewis here, he’s always very strong in Silverstone. “My lap wasn wasn’t perfect, there was still some m margin left to improve, but no o one got a perfect lap together, togeth so it was enough in the e end.

“I “I now have to make go good use of the pole. L Lewis’s race pace has b been really strong this y year, so I’m sure it’ll be a good fight.

“I want show that the champion championship fight is still on. I’m the o one chasing, the one behind.”