DAMON BACKS LEWIS TO WIN BRITISH GRAND PRIX
Damon Hill OBE, President of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) and last British driver to win the FIA FORMULA 1™ World Championship, has backed Lewis Hamilton to put in another stunning performance in front of a record sell-out crowd at next week's British Grand Prix (4-6 July).
Speaking at the third day of F1 testing at Silverstone, Hill was attending an official preview to this year's FORMULA 1 SANTANDER BRITISH GRAND PRIX where he believes Hamilton has every chance of securing maximum points in front of his home crowd. Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Lewis Hamilton can look forward to sell-out crowds on all three days of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone “Lewis can definitely win at Silverstone”, said Hill.
“He hasn't had the best of luck since Monaco, but the support of the fans, and the atmosphere at his home Grand Prix, will be tremendous. Silverstone is popular with all the F1 drivers, but is a very special place for the Brits. “He has had a bit of a wobble over the last couple of races, but he'll pull himself through it. Lewis has the confidence, speed and talent, but that will only get you so far. You also need experience, and that will make him a formidable driver. He has a real chance of winning at Silverstone. He just needs to focus on driving.”
“Look at David Coulthard”, added Hill. “The Red Bull's have really come on this year under Adrian Newey.DC's a good example of how experience can help you as a driver. His car cannot compete with the Ferraris and McLarens at present, but he used all his experience to finish on the podium in Canada. Unfortunately, it will take a few heavy downpours for there to be three British drivers on the podium next weekend, but I wouldn't rule anything out in Formula 1. It would certainly be a special way to celebrate our two anniversaries - 60 years of Silverstone and 80 years of the BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club).”
Silverstone celebrates its Diamond Anniversary this year, marking 60 years since the first ever Grand Prix at the Northamptonshire track. Speaking about the circuit's heritage, Hill said, “Silverstone has a special ambience and vibe that you cannot recreate. The great drivers, cars and races are all embedded in the memory, and are all synonymous with Silverstone. It is the premier motorsport venue in the country and represents the best that UK motor sport has to offer. It has hosted F1 since its inception, and hopefully we'll be here for another 60 years.”
When asked about Silverstone's chances of completing a deal to secure the future of the British Grand Prix beyond 2009, Hill was optimistic. However, despite unprecedented levels of interest in the event, and the circuit's plans to redevelop the venue, he was refusing to get carried away. "I am 100 percent confident that we have got what it takes to deliver a venue that F1 and the UK will be proud of”, said Hill, “but it's a mistake to think anything is a foregone conclusion. My experience is that you should never make some presumptions. But F1 benefits from being in the UK. We are at the forefront of technology, and we have the drivers and teams. You would be hard pressed to find another F1 venue with such strength in depth.”
He added, "A tremendous amount of work has gone in to Silverstone, getting it to the position where it's teed up to become a leading centre for world motorsport. The circuit is ideally placed for Formula One and for all motorsport. We also have ambitions to fulfil the
objectives of the government - to provide education, vocational training and also promote the UK. We believe we have everything in place to make us a very strong candidate for a Grand Prix contract and potential investment. “Our planning application for a new Pit and Paddock complex has been approved, but it's one step at a time. The negotiations with Bernie and Formula One Management are ongoing and, I expect, won't come to a conclusion until the final hour - whenever that is. It's going round in circles, but the circles are getting smaller and I think we're getting closer to the final stage. We're definitely making progress, and it's foot by foot, rather than inch by inch.”
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