LEWIS HAMILTON fears his tyres could EXPLODE in Sunday’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix if he pushes them too hard.
The Brit finished last weekend’s race on three wheels after a dramatic last-lap puncture when his front left tyre deflated without warning.
Hamilton salvaged the win, but says he is worried about pushing them again this week, as this weekend’s tyres are even less durable.
He said: “I have not yet looked into a race scenario but I would imagine there will be some sort of tyre management.
“I don’t want to push these things as they will probably explode!”
Hamilton could not hide his frustration as teammate Valtteri Bottas stopped him from taking a record eighth pole at Silverstone.
The world champion, who has a whopping 30-point lead in the drivers’ championship over the Finn, was clearly upset at missing out on pole position.
Perhaps it is testament to his character that he actually cares, for he already has 91 poles – more than any other driver in the sport’s history.
Hands folded and hunched forward, Hamilton, 35, looked like he could not wait for the post-qualifying video press conference to end.
He said: “Valtteri did a fantastic job today and was a little too quick for me.
“The first lap in qualifying was pretty decent but the last one was not very spectacular and ultimately he did a better job than me.”
Hamilton looked to have done enough for pole until Bottas pumped in an excellent second attempt at the death to beat his teammate.
Bottas, who only this week signed a one-year contract extension at Mercedes worth around £8million a year, added: “It feels good. I just love qualifying, especially when it goes well.
“It’s a good feeling to start from pole position and to get everything out of myself and the car.
“The mentality from pole position is that the only aim is to win the race and obviously the starting point for it is good. Mentally it’s to try to win it, that’s it.”
And Nico Hulkenberg completed an astonishing comeback to qualify in third place for tomorrow’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix for Racing Point.
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The German was called up as a last minute replacement for Sergio Perez, who again tested positive for Covid-19.
Should he consolidate third place in Sunday’s race, not only would it be a remarkable return in itself, it would also mean he ends his run as the driver with the most races without a single podium.
Hulkenberg, who was at the Rio carnival when the rest of the grid were at pre-season testing in Barcelona, said: “Last weekend was really extreme, an F1 comeback with no preparation and it was challenging.
“So I was much better prepared this weekend. I was giving it everything to squeeze as much out of it as I could.
“I know I have a fast car beneath me and to make sure I do everything right with the experience I have.”
Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel gave a cryptic response when quizzed about his problems after another poor qualifying session in his Ferrari.
After qualifying down in 12th, he will be promoted one spot due to Esteban Ocon’s three-place grid penalty for blocking George Russell.
Vettel said: “I tried everything I had and I was reasonably happy with the lap. We have tried lots of things with the car but we are pretty much stuck.
“It is very different to usual. I don’t know why that is. I have run out of answers.”
