“It is a different league quite frankly to have a three-day test, over
1,500 kilometres, with new parts, with race tyres that are those we race.
“It is unfortunate the spin that some teams are putting on the punishment
that it is not significant.”
While Brawn may still be reeling from the severity of the sentence, Lewis
Hamilton put the incident behind him. Speaking at the team’s
Brackley headquarters, he said of the verdict: “It is a real positive.
Obviously we miss the test which is a negative and not too helpful. I am
just glad that we can go racing again and there are no distractions.”
Hamilton said he was well satisfied that the correct verdict and punishment
had been issued. “It has gone to a tribunal and a lot of intelligent
lawyers have been involved. We have had a couple of positive races, just
because they have been easier on the tyres, and that’s made it look like we
have had a benefit.”
For Hamilton, the road is now clear for the week’s lead-up to the British
Grand Prix at Silverstone, with just one caveat. Asked if there might be
some gripes if the team were to win this weekend, he conceded: “People
will jump to conclusions I am sure but we are just going to have to ride
them out and take the rough with the smooth.”
Hamilton goes into the GP knowing that he and his team need to find
three-10ths or half a second on the faster Red Bull and Ferrari cars. It may
be a tall order, but the driver, at least, has positive memories of the
track to call upon.
He recalled that 2008, where he won superbly in the rain, “was
exceptional, incredible. I remember it like it was yesterday. I don’t think
I would be able to top that, but coming here with my new team and wining
after such a long time would be emotional. Your home GP is like the
Olympics, you want to fly the flag on your home turf”.
Silverstone, meanwhile, is offering a ‘buy-on-the-gate’ ticket scheme for this
weekend’s British Grand Prix in light of their below-par sales this year.
Managing director Richard Phillips is still anticipating one of the biggest
attendances in recent years, although it is unlikely to come close to the
three-day record of 315,000 in 2011.
Normally Silverstone is close to a sell-out at this stage, but a number of
factors have contributed to the slump, notably the fact Hamilton nor Jenson
Button have won a race this season.
It means the Northamptonshire venue finds itself in the unusual situation of
throwing open its doors to fans across the weekend.
Phillips said: “While we don’t expect to reach the record attendance
levels of 2011 and 2012, we are anticipating another big crowd.
“Ticket sales were slower than usual during the initial sales period, but
we have seen a significant upturn in interest and buying patterns since F1
returned to Europe.
“This, coupled with an improvement in the weather and a promising
forecast for the weekend, has prompted us to put measures in place to sell
tickets to fans deciding to turn up on the day.”