F1 British Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying build-up, Verstappen fastest in FP1, Hamilton third

FANS-TASTIC

Lewis Hamilton is banking on 140,000 fans roaring him on in Sunday’s British GP to stop Max Verstappen’s romp to the F1 title, writes Ben Hunt.

Hamilton is a whopping 32 points behind the Dutchman in the championship and set to lose his crown.

And now Hamilton, 36, hopes the fans can play their part in making up ground on the Red Bull racer.

When quizzed by SunSport about his seven wins here and having home advantage, Hamilton said: “With all those elements I hope and pray that is the case.

“Another element is the sprint race, the new format.

“Of course, it is easy for any of us to get it wrong but there are also opportunities there, which is exciting.

“And the element with the fans. There is always an energy and a buzz that the fans bring and without doubt when it is your home grand prix, there is always more heat behind you.

“So I am hoping that all those factors come together and close that gap those guys had managed to grow out and enable us to really take it to them this weekend.”