MCLAREN: IS IT TRUE?BROMANCE?
FORMULA 1 2010
IT’S been played down as friendly rivalry thus far, but if it comes down to a sprint finish to take the chequered flag in the British Grand Prix on Sunday, rest assured they’ll be no pleasantries in the McLaren cockpits of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
One-two in the drivers’ championship, all eyes are on the British pair to fight it out for their third victories of the season in front of their home fans at Silverstone.
Nine races into the season, it’s still all love and happiness in the Woking-based garage as Hamilton and Button go about their business of establishing McLaren a lead in the constructors’ championship.
But as the season enters its second half and the title race hots up, it has been suggested that cracks are beginning to appear beneath the surface as the world champions of the last two years desperately try to reclaim their crown.
Another former British world champion, Damon Hill, believes the relationship may “boil over” for the season run-in, starting Sunday, while Red Bull’s Mark Webber believes a rift is “inevitable” given what is at stake.
Hamilton leads Button by just six points at the top of the drivers’ championship with two wins apiece. But with the new points system, which gives 25 for a win, and the likes of Webber, his team-mate Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso all in close attendance, every win is vital.
Button is yet to claim a podium finish in 10 years racing at Silverstone, but insists the pressure of racing in front of a home crowd doesn’t faze him. “I don’t feel under pressure going into my home race – I feel very relaxed, and Lewis is the same,” he said.
“It’ll be a lovely atmosphere. We’ve both been here and had a rubbish result, yet you still get the support. For us it’s a case of going there and looking forward to it, more than feeling under pressure. Winning at home, you celebrate with your home crowd. I‘ve never even been on the podium here, and I’m going to change that this year.”
Hamilton, on the other hand, won here two years ago and is desperate to experience that feeling again.
“The feeling of winning your home grand prix is unique and very special – it’s almost as good as winning the world championship.”
BRITISH GP | HOME WINNERS
5 – Jim Clark (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1967)
4 – Nigel Mansell (1986, 1987, 1991, 1992)
2 – Stirling Moss (1955, 1957)
Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971)
David Coulthard (1999, 2000)
Lewis Hamilton (2008)
Damon Hill (1996)
John Watson (1981)
James Hunt (1977)
Peter Collins (1958)
Tony Brooks (1957)
F1 2010 | SEASON SO FAR
RACE Hamilton Button
Bahrain 3rd 7th
Australia 6th 1st
Malaysia 6th 8th
China 2nd 1st
Spain 14th 5th
Monaco 5th DNF
Turkey 1st 2nd
Canada 1st 2nd
Europe 2nd 3rd