No let up for Hamilton

Hamilton: Not keen on summer break

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World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton will not be taking things easy despite Formula 1 taking a summer break.

With three weeks until race 12 of the season - the European GP in Valencia - Hamilton and the other drivers have a chance to enjoy a break from the sport.

However Hamilton, who holds a five-point lead at the top of the standings, insists that he will use the time to work on his fitness.

"I'll have some time to recover from this race and the first half of the season," said the McLaren star.

"We've no commitments outside of the racing world, so we can just focus on our training, our fitness to make sure we are ready for the second half of the season.

"There's still a long way to go, so I'm going to make sure I work very hard and that physically I am well prepared.

"I want to make sure we keep up with the performance we have."

Having recorded back-to-back victories before a puncture saw him finish down in fifth in Hungary, the break has possible come at a bad time for the in-form Hamilton.

Essential

And McLaren boss Ron Dennis admits that Hamilton would prefer to keep racing.

He said: "When a driver is doing well all he wants to do is get in the car and race.

"That's understandable, but he'd be the first to recognise this break is absolutely essential for the team, mechanics and all the people who travel.

"They don't get the right amount of time with their families, and this gives them an opportunity to have at least one week where they are not at the office or workshops.

"It's a key ingredient of keeping people motivated and happy when you are addressing the calendar, which makes next year's difficult for them.

"We will have to accommodate that by rotating people. They will not be expected to go right through the season.

"Lewis will have his wish next year - he'll be racing every other week at least."