HILL: BUTTON TO TAKE CONTROL

"The stars of the show at the moment are [Lewis] Hamilton and Vettel - they are definitely showing their class against the field," he said.
Damon Hill says Jenson Button's faltering run towards the world championship is starting to concern him, and hopes his fellow Briton can take control again in the final two races.
"He's obviously still strong enough, he should be qualifying in the top ten or top six, so he's well in with a points scoring chance, and he's got a comfortable lead," he said.
"If you just said that he's fighting for the world championship with two races left and he's got a 14 point lead, you'd say he's looking very comfortable”.
By itv-f1, from Radio Five Live.

Lewis Hamilton :

Coming in at this part of the season, Michael is at a disadvantage because he hasn’t had the same experiences as everyone else,” he told the Mail on Sunday.

“It would be unfair to say that I’ll be excited if I finish ahead of him in Valencia because it is his first race of the season.”

“I want Felipe to know we’re all waiting for him; Michael might be keeping his seat warm, but I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

Hamilton has never raced against Schumacher, having joined the F1 grid in 2007, the year after the German retired.

The reigning champion has already spoken of his excitement at having the opportunity to do so, describing it as “an honour and a privilege”.

But he is sensitive to the circumstances of Schumacher’s comeback and says he is eager to see his 2008 title rival Massa .

“My thoughts are still with Felipe and his family following his terrible accident,” he said.

“I’ve read on the internet how much progress he has made and things are getting more encouraging by the day.

“I know first-hand how much fighting spirit Felipe has because we had a fantastic battle for the championship last year. He was a total gentleman throughout.

“I want Felipe to know we’re all waiting for him; Michael might be keeping his seat warm, but I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

“Winning in Budapest has really given me extra strength,” he said.

Holiday means different things, depend of the mind set…

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull:

"I haven’t planned anything so far. I am rather spontaneous and don’t book my vacations in January. I like the mountains and as I live in Switzerland you will probably find me up there, maybe for one week. And, of course, I will spend time in my hometown Heppenheim."

Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber:

"I am looking forward to a real family vacation: (wife) Patrizia, the kids and I will head for a Greek Island. Shush! Which island is a secret

! We will build sandcastles, have picnics on the beach, do all those things that other parents do with their youngsters."

Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber:

"I will stay at home during the summer break. I will relax a little bit. I will go karting and work out a bit. That’s all. Doesn’t read very fancy, does it?"

Jenson Button, Brawn GP:

"After the London Triathlon at the weekend I will relax a bit in the South of France before getting into gear again for the European Grand Prix."

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren:

"I will head to New Delhi for a Vodafone promotional event and as I am already far out east, maybe I will find myself a beach retreat for a week. But honestly, nothing definite is planned yet."

Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren:

"After going back to the factory for a debrief, I’ll head off for two weeks into the sunset. Where? That’s my secret."

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari:

"After Rally Finland I will relax with friends, maybe a bit motor biking in Finland and then I’ll head to the beach for a bit. That’s the vague plan for the moment."

Adrian Sutil, Force India:

"I will spend a week at home in Switzerland before flying to Bali for a holiday with my family. Bali is one of my favourite destinations. It’s a charming place. Then I will return to Switzerland again, before heading for Valencia for the European Grand Prix."

Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India:

"I will spend time with my family and friends on board my boat, the Fizzy. The plan is to sail in the waters around Sardinia and Corsica and have a good time."

Sebastian Buemi, Toro Rosso:

"I will spend a couple of days at my parents’ home in Switzerland, then go down to Malaga for one week with my physio for a workout. And for a little extra treat I’m going to fly to New York for four days to inhale a bit of metropolis life."

Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso:

"The weekend after Budapest I am racing in Portimao. After that I will head for Ibiza to work on my fitness - and of course have a little fun!"

""Formula1.com""

Lewis loses chance to try Senna's car

Lewis Hamilton was unable to drive his childhood hero Ayrton Senna's championship-winning McLaren MP4/4 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed today after the car failed on Saturday.

The reigning world champion's run up in the hillclimb course in the car that took Senna to his first title in 1988 was set to be one of the highlights of the famous event.

But unfortunately the car's gearbox failed yesterday while it was being demonstrated by Ayrton's nephew Bruno Senna.

"I'm really disappointed not to be driving the McLaren MP4/4 up the Goodwood hill - not only for myself and for the guys at McLaren who worked so hard to prepare it but also, and most importantly, for the Goodwood spectators," explained Hamilton.

"There's something a bit special about Goodwood - and there's something a bit special about any ex-Senna Formula 1 car, too.

"So I'm sure the Goodwood spectators were really looking forward to watching it in action just as much as I was looking forward to driving it.

"At least Bruno got a chance to drive it, and to show it off to the Goodwood spectators, so that's the main thing I guess."

Hamilton was still able to demonstrate his own championship-winning car, last year's McLaren-Mercedes MP4-23, instead.

"itv"