No threat to British Grand Prix

MCLAREN'S Lewis Hamilton reassured British supporters yesterday that he has no intention of going on strike at his home grand prix at Silverstone next month.

The French Grand Prix paddock was swept by strike talk on Thursday after Renault's former double world champion Fernando Alonso suggested Formula 1 drivers could strike at Silverstone in protest at the cost of their racing licences.

"I am not involved in any strike talks; that is not my position. I am here to race; to do my job for the team, for myself and for the fans of Formula 1," the 23-year-old said after first practice at Magny-Cours. "I don't believe for one minute that the drivers will take such drastic measures," he added.

"We have the British Grand Prix in a couple of weeks' time and other grands prix to follow, and I'm certainly not planning on missing any of them."

The strike idea has already been rejected by other millionaire drivers, who are angry at the huge increase in the cost of their super-licences.

The rise, based on points scored in the previous year's championship, has meant that Hamilton has to pay 228,000 (£180,00) for his licence instead of 1,725 in his rookie season.