Lewis Hamilton hits out at detractors ahead of British Grand Prix

Hamilton has been the most exciting driver to watch this season (Getty)

Lewis Hamilton has taken a swipe at his detractors as he gets in a fighting mood for this weekend's British Grand Prix.

The past few weeks have been turbulent ones for Hamilton as he has come under fire for his driving style, whilst his future has also been the subject of intense speculation.

The likes of Niki Lauda and Sir Stirling Moss rounded on the 26-year-old in the wake of the incidents that unfolded in the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix.

This week Nigel Mansell and Jacques Villeneuve have voiced their opinion on Hamilton's career, insisting he should remain at McLaren after their years of loyalty towards him rather than jump ship.

In one interview, however, Hamilton has made it clear the remarks of others do not affect him, and with particular regard to Lauda he "couldn't give a toss" what the three-times world champion says.

As for the likes of Mansell and Villeneuve, in another interview he wonders whether "anyone really cares what some of those people are talking about or their opinions".

Hamilton then adds that "if you have an opinion, just keep it to yourself".

It is a clear sign from Hamilton he is determined to be his own man going into the most highly-pressurised weekend of the year for the Briton.

Trailing championship leader Sebastian Vettel by 89 points, and in the wake of scoring just 20 in the last three races, there is real urgency on Hamilton to do well in front of his home fans.

Although Hamilton knows the score, he has his sights set high for himself and team-mate Jenson Button, who is 77 points adrift of Vettel.

"The dream for us would be to have a one-two at Silverstone," said Hamilton, speaking to Press Association Sport.

"That would be the best weekend I could ever imagine in Formula One. I think it would be incredible.

"The dream would be to see what kind of effect that would have on everyone. I think the atmosphere would be unreal.

"When I got pole position in 2007, that was insane, and when I won in 2008, that was also insane.

"But just imagine having a British one-two in a British team, that would be a weekend that would go down in history.

"So our goal, as difficult as it may be, that's what we're pushing for."

To underline the level of difficulty Hamilton is referring to, in 61 previous British GPs there have only been six British one-twos - and none with the same British team.

In 1962, 1964 and 1965 when Jim Clark won in a Lotus, John Surtees was runner-up in a Lola in the first of those years, whilst Graham Hill was beaten into second place driving a BRM in the latter two.

That is as close as Britain has come to the feat Hamilton is hoping for, seemingly made more improbable by Button's bitter frustration at never finishing on the podium at Silverstone in 11 attempts.