GRAND SLAM

Frustrated Hamilton blasts organisers as Wimbledon and Cricket World Cup finals threaten to take spotlight off British GP

LEWIS HAMILTON has hit out at the decision to host this weekend’s British Grand Prix at the same time as the Wimbledon and Cricket World Cup finals.

The British superstar, 34, is looking to make more Formula One history on Sunday when he targets a record sixth victory in his home race at Silverstone.

But a clash of schedules means Hamilton, whose superb campaign sees him lead the title standings by 31 points from Mercedes team-mate Valtteri

Bottas, will have to fight for the attention of the

British public.

When the lights go out in Northamptonshire, England’s bid for World Cup glory against New Zealand will be underway, while the men’s singles final in SW19 has an almost-identical start time.

The timing is again a great source of frustration for Hamilton, who saw his thrilling fight for pole position last year overshadowed by England’s heroics in the football World Cup. “What I don’t understand is why the organisers put the race on the same day as all these other big events. I really don’t understand it,” said Hamilton.

“But I hope in future that they put this on (its own).

“This is such a special weekend that it needs all the focus of the whole country, not just a small amount. I think people are going to be switching between channels on Sunday, not sure what to watch.

“There’s quite a few of us Brits, but we come here to raise the flag and do the country proud, so I’m just going to try to play my part.”

It won’t just be the armchair fans watching Hamilton’s bid for glory, though, with a sold-out Silverstone set to cheer on the Mercedes star and fellow Brits Lando Norris and George Russell (all three, pictured below).

Back in 1992, Nigel Mansell – sporting his trademark moustache – was mobbed by the home faithful after romping to a Silverstone triumph in celebrations dubbed ‘Mansellmania’.

And Hamilton, who tends to divide opinion among the British public, joked he may have to grow a tash to provoke a similar reception.

“People have the right to choose who they support,” he added.

“When I grew up in Stevenage, I never thought I’d have a single supporter, apart from my mum and dad.

“So I feel really privileged even having just one. I guess the more time I spend here, I guess I’ll have more opportunities to turn people’s opinions.

“The fact I can’t grow a moustache – it might be that... he had good eyebrows as well. Maybe one weekend I’ll try to stick them on.”