02/06/2013
NEWS STORY
 |
Stirling Moss - the last Mercedes-Benz driver to win the British Grand Prix, in 1955 - has backed Lewis Hamilton for success at this year's British Grand Prix. With just four weeks until the event, Moss and Hamilton joined forces at Silverstone to voice their support for the UK's flagship motorsport event.
The two British Grand Prix winners were accompanied by a replica of the Mercedes F1 car which, in six races, has secured four pole positions and three podium finishes, including victory for Nico Rosberg in Monaco. The Brackley-based team is showing its strongest form since its return to F1 as a manufacturer in 2010, and is aiming to take the fight to its championship rivals in their home race at Silverstone.
Also on display was the stunning W 196; the revered Mercedes factory team's 1954 contender, the very car that won Grands Prix in Germany and Switzerland at the hands of five-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio, and the same model as the car raced by Moss at the British Grand Prix in 1955 - his first ever world championship victory. The spectacular 2.5-litre historic racing car is set to go under the hammer at a public auction, held by Bonhams, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 12 July.
A win for Hamilton would be the first for Mercedes-Benz at the British Grand Prix since Moss in 1955. While his team will be hoping to emulate the success of the W 196 in front of a passionate crowd, Hamilton would love to follow Moss and achieve his second British Grand Prix win.
"Winning the British Grand Prix in 2008 was an incredible moment for me," said Hamilton. "I've been aiming to repeat it every year since and I'd love to achieve what Sir Stirling did and win my second race at Silverstone. We have a good car this year so I hope we can do it and it would be great to make the team proud at my home race. Silverstone is so special for the British drivers and the weekend is made by the amazing support from our home fans. The atmosphere, the flags flying around the circuit and just seeing everyone supporting us really does lift you. I hope we can put on a good show for them and we'll be pushing as hard as possible to give them a great weekend."
"I think Lewis has a very good chance of winning the Grand Prix this year," said Moss. "It's not going to be easy and there are a lot of other good drivers out there trying to stop him, but he's a very fast driver, exciting to watch, and the car he's got is as good as any of them. He's in with a good chance.
"Winning the British Grand Prix meant a lot to me. I won in this Mercedes-Benz W 196 in 1955, just before the very last corner. It really was a very special day. I remember it quite well; I'd caught up with Fangio and overtaken him in traffic; as we went round the last corner I put my foot flat on the floor and took the chequered flag. I finished literally half a car length in front.
"Taking a look at Lewis' car today, there's no way would I get in it; but then he said the same thing about mine! He asked where the seatbelts were - we didn't wear seatbelts!
"The atmosphere at the Grand Prix will be fantastic. There'll be some great racing; the fans always have a great time. It will also be the last chance to come and listen to the 2.4 litre V8s screaming around this wonderful circuit. The fans really have got to come and see it."