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[darwin dali]

ESPNF1:
Damon Hill forecasts tension between McLaren team-mates

Damon Hill thinks that the McLaren team-mates' relationship will become strained © Sutton Images

Damon Hill thinks that it is only a matter of time before the friendly rivalry between McLaren team-mates Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button will soon 'boil over' and suggests it could even happen at this weekend's British Grand Prix.

"It's just been on simmer so far and it will start to boil over," said Hill. "Between the two British drivers in possibly the best car you will have a very close and fascinating battle."

Hamilton and Button lie first and second in the drivers' standings and have so far enjoyed a fairly harmonious season together. Only once have things nearly come to a head when Button passed Hamilton for the lead of the Turkish Grand Prix before Hamilton managed to re-pass.

But the 1996 World Champion believes the tension between the team-mates will intensify if the fight for the title remains close in the second half of the season.

"Jenson will not be letting Lewis get away with anything," added Hill. "Your closest most significant competitor is your team-mate and when you've got a team-mate as good as Jenson then it's not a foregone conclusion.

"I know Lewis has the mindset of a driver who sees the normal state of affairs as him being first, which is great, and that's what you'd expect but perhaps Jenson is a little bit more opportunistic and slightly more mature and realistic about things. This could be the start of the rest of the season [for the McLaren relationship].

"Traditionally Silverstone is smack in the middle of the summer, smack in the middle of the season, the preliminaries are over and from now on the clock is definitely ticking. There is only room for one guy."

[SaintDean]

Damon Hill said this at the beginning and its gone fine so far. I can only guess he is trying to try cover his back after what he said.

Also things between the 2 seemed to be going swimmingly. Im sure whitmarsh aswell would of had a chat about this.

[vaptin]

If it will happen I doubt it'll happen with McLaren being at their current preformance - ie both drivers have a reasonable shot at winning races. If McLaren as a team start to be put under stress, and decisions start to become more risky and costly then maybe.

But I can't see McLaren slipping.

[What's Burning?]

So far this year his prediction has been the case more for Red Bull than McLaren.

[f1ea]

Its been happening at Red Bull because they are the ones leading the races, they have been the ones with the race 'to lose'.

Mclaren have been there to capitalise on problems with Red Bull and so on... if things get 'clear' and whichever is not winning, there will be clashing. Because there's been tension already, just not enough to boil while the championship is still open... once decisions come to do or die, nobody knows what happens next

[stonemonkey]

It's one of the things I'm looking forward to seeing and with the Red Bulls and Alonso there they can't afford to do anything stupid, especially with the new points system. There's a lot more respect between them than there was between Hamilton and Alonso but there's going to come a point when they're going to have to go up against each other, if Silverstone wasn't the next race I'd say it wasn't going to happen yet but could Silverstone be the tipping point?

[Matkins]

I feel that Hill is trying to create a dramatic anticipation for the British Grand Prix. It's obvious why he'd try to do that, but it's not necessary, because this season is gripping enough.

If Button can get the better of Hamilton, there might be fireworks. But vice verser and Jenson will just be slightly less talkative after the race.

[stonemonkey]

I feel that Hill is trying to create a dramatic anticipation for the British Grand Prix. It's obvious why he'd try to do that, but it's not necessary, because this season is gripping enough.

If Button can get the better of Hamilton, there might be fireworks. But vice verser and Jenson will just be slightly less talkative after the race.

If you're thinking Button will be more level headed and able to keep it I question that, Button's not won at Silverstone before and will be keen to change that.

[f1usa]

Looks like Damon has been texting EJ. !!!

[SaintDean]

I wouldnt worry about Damon, going a bit senile in his old age.

[smokin]

Things will be fine while the two are separated by a couple of cars in qualifying but if they start side by side there could be fireworks at the first corner. Later in the race they will both have settled down and they've already proved that they can handle high speed dicing when both are 'in the groove'.

[Gaz]

i don't think we'll see another nando v lewis again.

Button won't let it happen.

[bud]

its not hot enough in England for it to reach boiling point. it will be a nice simmer.

[What's Burning?]

its not hot enough in England for it to reach boiling point. it will be a nice simmer.

Damn bud, this is very insightful of you! I agree, the simmer is what makes for good soup.

[Frosty]

I think this has been said many times by many people but it hasn't happened yet