Hamilton intent on ending a difficult week on a positive

Race, not racing, is the main topic of discussion in the Formula 1 paddock ahead of the British Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton at the eye of the storm.

It’s Sir Lewis’s home race and a large proportion of a sold-out Silverstone - 140,000-strong - are desperate to see him add to his unprecedented tally of eight British Grand Prix victories.

But rather than discussing his chances of crossing the line first - his price has shortened from 12-1 to 9-1, but Mercedes’ form this year suggest he faces an uphill fight - Hamilton is instead answering questions on discrimination and equality.

Remarks from one of F1’s own, three-time world champion Nelson Piquet have thrust the matter back into the spotlight.

Hamilton doesn’t betray any kind of anger towards Piquet when he faces the press on Thursday - sadly he’s heard it all before. He’s got used to taking off-track matters in his stride as he cordially greets the assembled media before giving thoughtful, measured answers to the inevitable questions on what F1 and the wider world can do to stamp out the endemic problem.

Hamilton is as strong as ever in his condemnation and two years on from drivers taking a knee at the Austrian Grand Prix, the message from the paddock has only been strengthened: there’s no room for racism in F1.

Piquet’s remarks, which were quickly followed by ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone expressing pro-Vladimir Putin sentiments, threaten to overshadow British motorsport’s summer festival.

But those in the Silverstone stands are determined not to let those "older voices", as Hamilton dubbed them, rain on their parade. The British summer has got that one covered.

It’s not that the fans are ignorant to what’s going on - far from it -they’re just determined to enjoy the four-day pageant, a ticket for which doesn’t come cheap during a cost of living crisis.

There’s little on track-action on the Thursday but supporters leave the pop-up tent city in the surrounding fields in droves to fill a grandstand along Hamilton straight, entertaining themselves by cheering runners and cyclists crossing the finish line after powering round laps of the 3.66-mile circuit.

Those cheers will only grow louder given it has been some time since British racing fans have had such a talented homegrown crop of drivers to get behind.

And while Hamilton is still the headliner of this festival, the noise from support acts George Russell and Lando Norris is growing louder.

Russell is learning from the master after joining Hamilton at Mercedes at the start of the season, and he's putting what he’s learnt to good use, finishing ahead of his illustrious team mate in seven of nice races.

He talks about observing how Hamilton behaves but remains his own man, taking bits of what made his colleague so successful and melding them with his own champion-in-waiting talent.

There’s the potential for him and Norris, who is two years younger than Russell, being engaged in title tussles down the line.

Norris has six podium finishes to his name, two more than Russell and has consistently outperformed his more experienced McLaren team mate Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian smacking Norris with a Space Hopper during Thursday’s Sky F1 Show is likely to be the best response he’ll produce to the Brit's form this year.

Norris and Russell’s time is fast approaching but Hamilton retains top billing for now and is determined to end a difficult week on a positive note.

He defiantly states "I’m still here, standing strong, and focused on my work", a warning to not just the young pretenders eyeing his crown as the king of Silverstone but anyone intent on coming after him.

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