06 July 2023 , 18:43
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The Just Stop Oil movement that is disrupting the British year of sport has received backing from Sir Lewis Hamilton.
And the seven-times Formula One world champion said he would welcome a protest at Sunday’s British Grand Prix... just as long as it did not involve anyone invading the 200mph track.
“From my perspective, and my team’s perspective, we are focused on sustainability and we believe in what people are fighting for. But safety is key. We don’t want to put them in harm’s way and we don’t want to put anyone else in harm’s way. If there was to be one (a protest) we hope it’s not on track.”
Five people got onto the track after the start of last year’s race, although the contest had been suspended after Zhou Guanyu’s opening lap crash. The protesters were given suspended jail sentences and there are expected to be at least 100 extra marshalls in place when 150,000 descend on Silverstone this Sunday.
Hamilton's admission comes after leading figures in F1 warned campaigners not to put lives at risk at this weekend's British Grand Prix. Speaking outside Downing Street on Thursday, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had stern words for those planning any form of protest, while Lando Norris said the antics last year was "a stupid thing to do".
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It was a measure of Max Verstappen’s domination of the 2023 F1 season - he has won seven of the nine races - that the two main topics on Thursday’s agenda at Silverstone were the prospect of protests and the filming of a Formula One movie starring Brad Pitt.
Lewis Hamilton is preparing for Sunday's British Grand Prix (PA)But Hamilton did address his long-running contract saga, insisting that himself and Mercedes have agreed financial terms and the length of a new deal.
“That’s correct,” he said, before saying the team’s inconsistent performance was not holding back confirmation of the extension to an agreement that expires at the end of this year. That’s not what I’m thinking. Before the end of the season, we’ll already be well into the contract. I still have 100 percent faith in this team.
“Earlier this week, I was having big meetings with the team, speaking to the head of aero and the head of vehicle dynamics - (about) what’s in mind for next year’s car.”
Hamilton has won his home race on a record eight occasions but is not expected to challenge for victory this Sunday, particularly after Mercedes endured a torrid time at last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix. But the 38-year-old does expect an improvement, saying: “We have a new front wing so it is, hopefully, one step further in the right direction.
“It is taking longer to get to where we want to be but I believe we will get there. Obviously, Austria was not a nice weekend for us but that is where we learn the most.
“I was in the factory on Tuesday and Wednesday and everyone was flat-out and focused on turning that negative into a positive here this weekend.”