Hamilton on his love of Silverstone and the British GP in a special Sky Sports F1 helicopter feature in this weekend's coverage
Monday 8 July 2019 17:37, UK
Lewis Hamilton has described the British GP at Silverstone as "a Grand Prix we can never lose" ahead of the 2019 edition of the race this weekend.
The world champion's home grand prix does not yet have a contract in place to host F1 beyond this year's event, although talks have remained ongoing and a deal for 2020 is still ultimately expected.
In a special Sky Sports F1 feature to air in this weekend's coverage, Hamilton takes a helicopter tour over Britain's most famous race circuit with Martin Brundle - a track the world champion calls "the most fun rollercoaster ride of the year".
"The ultimate race circuit," Hamilton said, a five-time Silverstone winner. "This is a Grand Prix we can never lose.
"Formula 1 loses this and it loses so much of its essence."
Britain staged the first F1 world championship race in 1950 at Silverstone, while the Northamptonshire track has been the permanent home of the event since 1987.
"It feels to me 'not while I'm racing,'" Hamilton replied when the prospect of losing the race was put to him.
"Not while I'm here, I'll fight for it. This has the biggest crowd of the whole year, the biggest attendance of the season, and there's no way I would allow that to happen. We have to fight for it."
Hamilton hails British fans
With a record-equalling five British GP victories in his career already, including four in succession between 2014 and 2017, Hamilton can take the record outright if he wins on Sunday.
"It has become the most anticipated event of the year for me and the one I enjoy the most," the Mercedes driver said.
"The fans are really what make the weekend and the atmosphere what it is."
Wednesday, July 10
6.30pm: Welcome to Silverstone (simulcast on Sky Sports News and Main Event)
Thursday, July 11
2pm: Drivers' Press Conference
4.30pm: The F1 Show
Friday, July 12
9.45am: British GP Practice One build-up
10am: British GP Practice One
11.50am: F2 Practice
1.45pm: British GP Practice Two build-up
2pm: British GP Practice Two
3.50pm: F2 Qualifying
4.30pm: British GP: The Story So Far
5pm: F3 Qualifying
Saturday, July 13
9.20am: F3 Race One
10.30am: British GP Practice Three build-up
11am: British GP Practice Three
12.10am: Paddock Walkabout
1pm: British GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: BRITISH GP QUALIFYING
3.35pm: F2 Race One
5pm: Sir Frank: Celebrating 50 Years
Sunday, July 14
8.40am: F3 Race Two
9.50am: F2 Race Two
11.10am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: British GP Pit Lane Live
1.30pm: British GP On The Grid
2.10pm: THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX LIVE
4pm: British GP Paddock Live
5pm: British GP: The Notebook
7pm: British GP highlights
F1 2019 heads to Silverstone this weekend for the big event of the motorsport summer. Join Sky Sports F1 for extensive coverage across nine live shows from Thursday to Sunday, when the race starts at 2.10pm. Find out more here to watch all the season live.
