Too easy for Rory
Hamilton angered by TV clash
LEWIS HAMILTON has blasted the decision to host this weekend’s British GP at the same time as the Wimbledon men’s final and the Cricket World Cup final.
The world champion is targeting a record sixth victory in his home race at Silverstone.
But a clash of schedules means Hamilton, who leads the title race by 31 points from Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, will have to fight for the attention of the British public.
When the action starts at Silverstone, England’s bid for World Cup glory against New Zealand will be underway while the final in SW19 has virtually the same start time.
The timing is frustrating for Hamilton, who saw his fight for pole 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, with a sold-out Silverstone set to cheer on the Mercedes star and fellow Brits Lando Norris and George Russell. In 1992, Nigel Mansell – with his trademark moustache – was mobbed by the home faithful after romping to a Silverstone triumph.
Hamilton joked that he may have to grow a tash to get a similar reception.
He added: “People have the right to choose who they support.
“I remember when I grew up in Stevenage I never thought I’d have a single supporter apart GERAINT THOMAS made a massive statement to show he is still the boss on the Tour de France.
The defending champion climbed to fifth in the general classification, above Team Ineos sidekick Egan Bernal, with a blistering ride on the slopes of La Planche des Belles Filles.
And after a memorable effort, which massively improves his chances of back-to-back Yellow Jerseys, Thomas said: “I was starting to blow at the end – but it was decent.
“I don’t listen to tips, but I felt pretty good and I thought it would be more of a solid day.
“It’s never easy here and I thought the steep climbs from my mum and dad. So I feel really privileged even having just one. Quite a lot of people come here and I’m so grateful for that.
“The more the merrier. I guess the more time I spend here, I guess I’ll have more opportunities to turn people’s opinions. But I’m grateful for what I have.
“The fact I can’t grow a moustache, it might be that… He had good eyebrows as well.” ■
RORY McILROY branded The Scottish Open course too easy ahead of his Open challenge at Royal Portrush.
McIlroy was still four shots off the leaders at The Renaissance Club yesterday, but said: “The rain softened things up and any links course we come to without much wind, people are going to rip it apart.”