Lewis gets happy with Pharrell while his Championship lead narrows

Formula One may be a world championship, but few drivers have the opportunity to race before their home fans.

Of this year’s 20 drivers, only 10 of them will drive in a home grand prix – although Britain and Spain claim three drivers each, and Brazil two, making only five of the 20 races home grands prix.

To race at home is an emotional occasion of itself, and it is made only more meaningful by their rarity among the driver pool.

The increased pressure of driving at home demands a certain extra something from the driver, and those fortunate enough to race in their native countries dig that little bit deeper to deliver victories.

Lewis Hamilton, one driver who defines himself primarily on his emotions, certainly feels the home crowd effect.

“Silverstone is where you have the biggest turnout of support. It is particularly special,” he said this week.

“You have all of the British flags there and all the people who have literally only just turned up to support you. It’s the biggest buzz, definitely.”

So it boggles the mind that, in the lead-up to his home grand prix, which also happens to be one of the season’s blue riband events in any case, Lewis is actively throwing away opportunities to perform at his maximum.

Cast your mind back one fortnight to the Austrian Grand Prix. Qualifying on pole gave Hamilton a chance to put one hand on the winner’s trophy, but a sizzling start by Nico Rosberg had the German seize the lead, from where his pace proved unmatchable. Race over at turn one.

“I did everything I was supposed to do but the clutch keeps underperforming,” lamented Hamilton afterwards, laying blame for losing the lead with his car.

“It’s disappointing when the car just doesn’t get off the line fast enough and there is nothing you can do about it on a track like this.

“Since then [the Spanish Grand Prix] I have been having bad starts. Nico was having bad starts and then they changed everything and now he is having good starts and I am having bad starts. It’s just the way it goes.”

It was a fortunate thing for Hamilton, then, that one of Formula One’s few two-day in-season tests was to take place on the Tuesday and Wednesday immediately following the race, providing an ideal opportunity to refine his car ahead of the most significant race on his calendar.

But he didn’t turn up.

Hamilton was scheduled to drive in the test, but he later informed the team that he wasn’t interested, instead handing reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein the opportunity to test alongside Nico Rosberg.

With what should’ve been the adrenaline to improve still pumping through his veins he flew to Monaco to meet with Pharrell Williams.

Admittedly Lewis Hamilton has struck what appears to be a functional work-life balance with his penchant for the Hollywood lifestyle – in stark contrast with his attempts to do the same at McLaren, particularly in the latter stages of his McLaren career.

Moreover, being the emotional animal that he is, and considering his well known need for personal freedom, such inter-race travel can be written off as ways for him to keep his emotional edge during the season.

But at such a critical juncture as the potential turning of the championship tide, for the reigning world champion to jet around the world with (other members of) the rich and famous seems like a poor career move likely to hand his chief rival an advantage.

“It definitely helps me being in the car today,” said Rosberg. “It was an intense programme, but we got through everything and we learned a lot of things.”

“It’s the team that learns the most out of the day, but of course I learn a few bits and small things, which is always useful.”

So Rosberg enters the British Grand Prix having further refined his connection with the car while Hamilton, who complained most about the car’s operation last time out, is no wiser as to what is causing his discomfort in the car.

But is it any wonder when you consider that his clutch problems started at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Hamilton last skipped the opportunity to drive in an in-season test?