Hamilton rejects strike talk

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-21  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

Mechanics pull the car of Ferrari Formula One driver Felipe Massa into the pit box during the first free practice session of the French Grand Prix at the Magny- Cours circuit yesterday. More in photo gallery

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MCLAREN'S Lewis Hamilton reassured British supporters yesterday that he has no intention of going on strike at his home grand prix at Silverstone next month.

The French Grand Prix paddock was swept by strike talk on Thursday after Renault's former double world champion Fernando Alonso, Hamilton's unhappy teammate at McLaren last year, suggested Formula One drivers could strike at Silverstone in protest at the cost of their racing licences.

"I am not involved in any strike talks; that is not my position. I am here to race; to do my job for the team, for myself and for the fans of Formula One," the 23-year-old said after first practice at Magny-Cours.

"I don't believe for one minute that the drivers will take such drastic measures," he added.

"We have the British Grand Prix in a couple of weeks' time and other grands prix to follow, and I'm certainly not planning on missing any of them."

The strike idea had already been rejected on Thursday by other millionaire drivers, who are angry at the huge increase in the cost of their super-licences.

The rise, based on points scored in the previous year's championship, has meant that Hamilton has to pay 228,000 euros (US$354,100) for his licence instead of 1,725 in his rookie 2007 season.

Bernie threat

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has also threatened to switch the British Grand Prix from Silverstone to Donington Park after 2009.

"We are discussing the possibility of reaching an agreement with Donington to host the British Grand Prix," Ecclestone told yesterday's Times newspaper.

"We are trying to save the British Grand Prix and we want it to be staged at a venue which befits an event of its stature. I've been in negotiations for a long time and whether or not we're going to do a deal with Donington or Silverstone, I don't know."