Hamilton needs rest

A national Grand Prix is always something special. Racing in front of your fans has an exhilarating quality that gives a driver extra motivation. But a home race also involves a greater number of promotional activities as well as increased media attention around you.

All these side activities can be tiring for a driver. That’s what happened to Lewis Hamilton this weekend at Silverstone. The English driver has even asked McLaren for permission to take a week off before the next race in Germany.

The 2008 world champion was supposed to take part in two promotional events yesterday and today but refused to attend. « I was supposed to work yesterday and today but I said it wasn’t possible because I had already been in England all of last week and I’ve been very busy. It’s great to be at home and watch TV, » said the McLaren-Mercedes driver.

Martin Whitmarsh admits that his driver gave a lot for his home Grand Prix and therefore granted him some rest before heading to the Nürburgring in two weeks. « I think Lewis pushed himself too hard during this Grand Prix. We arranged for him to have some rest before Germany as he wanted, » explained the McLaren boss.

After Germany, the drivers and teams will head straight to Budapest the following weekend before a month-long break between the Hungarian round and the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August. This break will give mechanics and engineers the chance to take some vacation since the factories must remain closed for two weeks. The drivers will also take the opportunity to relax away from the pressures of competition.