LEWIS HAMILTON is concerned that the thousands of British motorsport fans at Silverstone this week will not be as supportive of him as they were last year. “People who are aware of what’s been said over the past couple of months, of whatever has been said in the papers - I just hope that they aren’t throwing vegetables at me because of what’s happened in the last few races,” said Hamilton.

“The fans mean a hell of a lot to me, and for sure they’re going to be disappointed about the last couple of races, just as the team are, but there’s no need to be angry - and I’m sure some of the things that are said in the papers do make them angry.

“I’m on form, I’m not driving into walls. The reason I’m so quick is because I’m pushing my car, and the car is great, the team’s doing a good job, and I think I’m extracting a lot from it. That’s all I can do.”

Hamilton’s fastest lap was a full half a second quicker than his closest rivals during testing at the Northamptonshire circuit last week, an indication that new aerodynamic components on his McLaren have made a definite improvement - and of his determination to get his world championship challenge back on track.

Last year Hamilton took a spectacular last-gasp pole position in his first British Grand Prix before finishing third, behind Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. The sight of thousands of British flags being waved at his pole position remains one of his favourite memories, he said, stressing the importance he attaches to knowing he has the backing of a crowd. “You are just at ease because you know the people are there to support you.”

Giancarlo Minardi, founder of the eponymous team, has suggested that Fernando Alonso and Robert Kubica, as well as Raikkonen and Massa, are better drivers than the Briton, while other former drivers have advised Hamilton to curb his attacking instincts to ensure he maximises his return from races he cannot win. Sir Stirling Moss, however, says Hamilton should keep racing to win. “The championship is more important to the teams than any single race - but a real racer wants to beat everybody,” he said. “If you settle for picking up a few points, well, it may be the smart thing to do, but in your heart you’re not racing.”