Autosportfoto

F1 Belgian GP: Hamilton keen to carry baton from Olympic, Crutchlow success

Lewis Hamilton says he is eager to complete a historic August of sport for Great Britain by kicking off the second-half of the 2016 Formula 1 season with victory in the Belgian Grand Prix.

In a month that has seen Team GB finish collect a record haul of 27 gold medals en route to second in the Rio Olympics medals table and Cal Crutchlow end the nation's 35 year wait for success in the premier motorcycling class with victory in the Czech Republic, Hamilton is well placed to extend the winning feeling having succeeded in six of the previous seven races.

With the mid-season hiatus ending with a return to the iconic Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix - where Hamilton has previously won on two occasions in 2010 and 2015 -, Hamilton is confident the Union Jack will be flying once again by the end of the weekend.

"It's been such a proud few weeks for British sport, with the Olympics and then Cal Crutchlow becoming the first British MotoGP winner in more than 30 years," said Hamilton, who currently leads Nico Rosberg by 19 points in the overall standings.

"I'll do my best to keep the flag flying this weekend. A big shout-out to the British fans heading out to this one. I'm sure they'll be out in force as always!

"The first half of the season was a bit of a rollercoaster, so it's great to be in the position I'm in with more than half of the races behind us. There will be more up and downs to come, I'm sure. But the way myself and the team have performed so far gives me huge confidence.

"I'm feeling refreshed, re-energised and ready to go after a fun few weeks off, so hopefully everyone else has had a good rest too and we'll come out fighting.

"Spa is a great track - one that every driver enjoys. It was great to finally get back on the top step there last year, so fingers crossed I'll be able to have another strong race this time around." 

Zdroj: crash.net