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Can Hamilton halt a charging Rosberg?

SILVERSTONE, England - World champion Lewis Hamilton is seeking a return to his most dominant form on home soil this weekend when he bids to beat Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg in the British GP on Sunday (July 5).

The 30-year-old Englishman has only a 10-point advantage over the German following Rosberg's victory at the Austrian GP and knows he needs to regain his earlier supremacy to repeat his triumph in 2014's race.

SILVERSTONE WIN PRICELESS

The Briton said: "I don't feel like I ever really reached my peak in Austria, it wasn't the smoothest of weekends for me so to come away with second wasn't a disaster. Silverstone, though... that's different.

"I can't describe the feeling I had in 2014, lifting that trophy again in front of a sea of fans on the pits straight, after so many years and after a tough start to the weekend, too.

READ: Lewis hoping for pot of gold at UK GP

"It's something that will always stay with me and nothing less than the same again will do. I'm lucky enough to have fans all around the world but winning in front of your home crowd is something else.

"We have a fantastic car this year, even better than in 2014 and it should suit this track. I'll be going all out to make the most of it."

Hamilton tweeted this picture on June 21, expressing his excitement for his home GP:

Rosberg's triumph at the Red Bull Ring was his third in four races and confirmed the momentum that has recharged his title challenge after a season-opening period in which he was swept aside by Hamilton.

The German said: "My week in Austria could not have come together much better, apart from a mistake in qualifying, I felt right on top of things from the start and it was great to get another win.

"With the extra day in the car testing on Wednesday (July 1), also, helping the team prepare for Silverstone, I feel ready to go full attack at a circuit I really enjoy. It should suit our car nicely with the focus on down-force and we learned some useful things during the test.

"I'm sure we'll be strong once again. The crowds are really incredible at this race and it's always a great atmosphere. Of course, I know they have their favourite, but hopefully we can have a good fight and keep the fans on their feet."

As the Mercedes duo head towards the ninth round of the 19-race season amid temperatures soaring towards 35 degrees celcius, their duel has left many observers calling for changes - or a Ferrari revival -- to add drama to the championship and the sport.

Rosberg posted a picture on his Instagram account on July 1, arriving at Silverstone race track in a helicopter:

#silverstone #touchdown #heli #britishGP @mercedesamgf1 #cantwait

A photo posted by Nico Rosberg (@nicorosbergofficial) on

TYRE DEBACLE

Two major surveys of F1 fans and supporters - one carried out by the Grand Prix Drivers' Association - resulted in calls for a return to refuelling and a 'tyre war', but neither received much support from paddock insiders.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: "If you go back and look at what Ferrari did, with Bridgestone (tyres) against Renault, with Michelin, everybody else suffered. Bringing in more-durable tyres will make the racing worse - you'll have one-stop races which are never exciting."

McLaren's chief operating officer Jonathan Neale, whose team is ready to endure a very difficult home event with more grid penalties for engine changes, felt the penalties were too severe and complex and not understood by the fans.

ALL A BIT STRANGE

In Austria, the last two rows of the grid were filled by the two Renault-powered Red Bulls and the two struggling McLaren-Hondas after both teams were penalised severely.

"It's a bit strange trying to explain the penalties," said Neale. "I find it hard to reconcile that when drivers are receiving 25-place penalties on a grid which only has 20 cars.

"We have to be able to explain to the fans what the reason is for this. I don't think we have done a very good job at that."

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2015 Formula 1 season. Fresh reports every day.

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