The 2013 season is approaching half way and for all the rule changes, tyre-gates, adjustable flappy bits, blown doo-dahs, double what-ja-me-call-its, f-ducts, multi-21s, and qualifying and refuelling format changes intended to mix it up and make more interesting racing - at the moment it looks like, for the second time in a decade that a German is going to win his fourth championship in a row. Furchtbar.

British fans are understandably dejected about it. I am dejected about it. We have a fine crop of drivers in F1 at the moment but they are having a pretty dismal time. There has been no British win in the first seven races which hasn’t happened since 2006.

The German's meteoric rise, the British drivers' gradual slide and steep ticket prices are being cited as reasons for the expected low attendance at Silverstone this year. I'm sure they all contribute. But is it really that bad, or are we just being indulgently British, and having a good whinge? Is there any glimmer of hope for the British fans this week?

Ticket Prices

Well, I think the cost of going is a concern. I had a jaunt to a European grand prix a couple of years ago, for which the cost of travel, plus a weekend ticket in a seat with an awesome view, some great tapas and a questionable burger was less than the equivalent seat for the weekend at Silverstone. It didn't rain either - although I'm not holding Silverstone responsible for that.

Getting into the circuit was dead easy, facilities were good, it was a cracking race with plenty of overtaking. There were some nice locals that we befriended who seemed to be really into the racing: they even offered to paint our faces to get into the spirit of things and join in with their funny dance every time Hamilton went past. I digress. I'd love to go to the British Grand Prix, but to be honest; I'd prefer to travel, see somewhere new and see a race for my money.

So, what of the Brits?

What is the story so far this season, and do they have any chance of winning at all?

Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes

2013 form

Conventional wisdom says that Hamilton is one of the naturally fastest drivers in the pack, but while there has been some relief that the Mercedes has been more competitive than expected, it does not look like a championship winning car yet does it? Apart from Spain, which was a bit of a disaster, he has been in the top 5 every time. It is that kind of consistency that sees him fourth in the championship. So he should be battling for a podium at least, right?