Lewis Hamilton on Thursday dampened his fans’ enthusiasm and downplayed his chances of winning his home British Grand Prix for a record-increasing 10th time and, with it, his hopes of a record eighth drivers world title.
The 41-year-old seven-time champion, who secured his first Ferrari victory and the 106th of his career in Spain three weeks ago, warned that despite his team’s great progress this year it was unlikely that they could overhaul leaders Mercedes.
The Silver Arrows, with Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers’ title race after claiming five straight wins, have won seven of this year’s eight races ahead of this weekend’s Silverstone showdown.
"Mercedes is a phenomenal team," he said, after joking that his only means of winning another title could see him "going into the Mercedes garage and undoing all the bolts!"
In light-hearted mood ahead of his second home race with Ferrari, he added: "You see them perform at such an amazing level. It's really beautiful to see when a team is fully in synergy – and what they've brought and done this year is mighty.
"I think it is going to take a huge amount for anyone to close them down."
His compatriot George Russell, winner of last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, goes into the race on a wave of relief and rising confidence after leaping ahead of Hamilton into second place, 40 points behind Antonelli in the title race.
'MAX A BIG CONTENDER'
Most neutrals expect one or the other of the two drivers from Hamilton’s former team to win Sunday’s race, but Hamilton warned that Red Bull should also be considered as contenders.
"Red Bull have taken a really big step," he said, referring to last Sunday’s Austrian race where four-time champion Max Verstappen was a very close second behind Russell.
"I imagine, undoubtedly, Max is going to be a big contender and he’s got the power to match the Mercedes' so I think they're going to be really strong.
"We have to continue to believe, as a team, and continue to stay calm and keep working. We have to extract everything we can from each weekend and possibly a little more than what, performance-wise, we think is possible.”
Hamilton said there will be tracks other than Silverstone that will suit him and Ferrari better as the long fast straights at the British track clearly favour the power of Mercedes and Red Bull.
"There are some places where it neutralises a bit, like I imagine Budapest might and may deliver a little bit of a closer battle because there are no long straights. We need more of those!"
Asked about the drivers’ title, he added: "Kimi is far ahead... There's still a lot of points ahead too, but he pulled some more in the last race so it was, for us, a little bit of a reality check, but, of course, it’s not over 'till it’s over."