Damon Hill, BRDC President and the last British driver to win the FORMULA 1(TM) World
Championship, was joined by legendary F1 commentator Murray Walker and more than 150
fans on Sunday to cheer on Lewis Hamilton at a private screening of the Brazilian Grand Prix in
the BRDC Clubhouse at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix.
The British F1 sensation finished the Brazilian Grand Prix in seventh place, as Kimi Raikkonen
clinched the Drivers’ World Championship title, winning the race ahead of Ferrari team mate
Felipe Massa in Sao Paolo.
Hill, the 1996 World Champion commented, “I would have loved to see Lewis win today. He will
be disappointed, but he will regroup quite quickly. Lewis has shown more potential as a
newcomer this year than any rookie driver has ever done. He has shown that he is a serious
contender.
“This has been the best F1 season in a very long time; it is great for the sport. I hope that Lewis
wins the championship next year. He started as a novice and ended up missing out on the title
by one point. We should celebrate this great performance and achievement. The worrying thing
for the other drivers is that he’s only going to get better. He’ll get a fantastic reception wherever
he goes next year, none more so than at his home race. We’re all looking forward to 2008 and a
very exciting British Grand Prix at Silverstone.”
Murray Walker added, “Kimi was worthy of the title but I’m sorry for Lewis. He has had a
fantastic first year in Formula One, leading the championship until the last race of the season –
which is quite an achievement for a 22 year old.
“For someone who is usually very focused, I think the pressure got to him and it was his bad
start that cost him the race. If he hadn’t had gearbox problems and a bad start he could have
been World Champion.
“The future for Lewis Hamilton is gigantically bright and this is only his first year in F1. He has a
gift for turning negatives into positives, is enormously sensible and well balanced and will be
even stronger for next year. It’s not a question of if Lewis can win a World Championship it’s
when and we look forward to a record crowd at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix next year.”
Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, confirmed that more than
twice as many tickets have already been sold for the 2008 FORMULA 1? Santander British
Grand Prix, taking place on 4-6 July, compared with the same time last year. Phillips
commented, “Two or three of the most popular grandstand areas have already sold out. We
strongly advise fans to purchase their tickets as soon as possible.”
Tickets for the 2008 FORMULA 1? Santander British Grand Prix are on sale 24 hours a
day, seven days a week, and can be booked at www.silverstone.co.uk, or by calling 08704
588 300.
