F1 drivers "not prepared" for faster Silverstone

The added tyre grip and downforce of the current generation of cars is expected to ramp up the speeds of the Northamptonshire track's high-speed corners, with many drivers excited about what they will experience over the British GP weekend.

For Hamilton, who is hoping for his fourth consecutive victory on home soil, the step up over last season is one that he thinks will catch out drivers.

"I think Copse is going to be flat this year," he said. "It is going to be rapid. None of us are prepared for just how quick Silverstone is going to be compared to previous years. It was awesome in the last race and Maggotts/Becketts is going to be the same.

"It will be a physical race for us being as it is mostly medium and high speed corners. The G we are pulling it will be at least one up maybe two, who knows, it will be a lot of fun."

Daniel Ricciardo cheekily described the sensation he was expecting to get through the high-speed corners including Copse and Becketts as "romantic".

"I will try not to say something too dirty or disgusting – but it will be romantic!" he smiled. "I am looking forward to it.

"You kind of got a taste in Austria, and Copse will probably be full [throttle] this year and that is already enough to get me excited."

Force India's Sergio Perez said that running at Silverstone was something he had been excited about for some time.

"It is going to be really interesting. If there is a track I am looking forward to massively it is this one."

When asked if Copse would be flat for his car, he said: "I am so curious to know. I think there might be some cars that could go through their flat at some point over the weekend, so we will see."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner added: "Silverstone is going to be mega. By the time they arrive at Maggots, they won't have lifted – and the amount of full throttle time [over a lap] is longer than Azerbaijan. It is going to be mighty impressive."