Hamilton does u-turn after writing off 2011 title

Lewis Hamilton had a change of heart after writing off his world championship chances in Valencia.

The McLaren driver as well as Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso had played down their hopes of chasing down runaway championship leader Sebastian Vettel in 2011.

"It’s finished really, in the sense of the championship it’s almost over already," said Hamilton.

But a day later, the 26-year-old appeared to point his finger at the media.

"To all our supporters, ignore what you read in the papers today. My team will never give up and I will never give up!" Hamilton wrote on Twitter on Monday.

British journalists were unimpressed, including the Sunday Express’ Bob McKenzie who presumed Hamilton had woken on Monday morning "with a flea in his ear from McLaren".

And the Telegraph’s Tom Cary said "a night’s sleep seemingly restored Hamilton’s fighting qualities".

But realistically, many observers think Hamilton was right in the first instance, L’Equipe claiming Vettel is now "alone in the championship".

Said Hamilton’s teammate Jenson Button: "Silverstone is not going to be a better circuit for us. Let’s hope (British tennis player) Andy (Murray) does a good job this weekend (at Wimbledon) then there won’t be so much pressure on us."