McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain cups his ears during the third free practice session of European F1 Grand Prix in Valencia, June 25, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Silverstone Struggle

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, second on Sunday, is fifth in the championship and 99 points behind the leader. He too was pushing title talk to the back of his mind.

"At the moment, I don't think we can think of the championship in a proper way," said Spain's double world champion.

"It's not in our hands. At the moment we're one second behind, or eight 10ths behind so if anyone thinks we can win a championship being eight 10ths behind it's because maybe they don't understand Formula One."

Hamilton could at least take some comfort from a collision-free race after two controversial grands prix in Monaco and Canada but that was the bare minimum.

"Today I've finished a race. Whoopy do," he said without any suggestion of celebration.

Of far more concern was the prospect of being unable to fight the Red Bulls and Ferraris at his home race at Silverstone in two weeks' time.

Asked if he was looking forward to the British Grand Prix, Hamilton replied: "Er, no. "I'm looking forward to seeing the fans there because its great to be in the home country and to see all the fans," he added.

"But we're not quick enough to win there and I think with the new regulations changing again I think we will make another step backwards personally."

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany leads the race at the start of the European F1 Grand Prix in Valencia June 26, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Formula One's governing body has announced a clampdown from Silverstone on engine maps that have allowed teams to use the exhaust gases for a performance advantage even when the driver lifts off the throttle.

In Valencia, teams were not allowed to adjust the settings between qualifying and the race but any hopes of that slowing down Red Bull were swiftly ended with Vettel winning from pole position.

"I think we're quite a bit down in downforce, we've not made an upgrade for several weeks really," said Hamilton. "I mean, we've made an upgrade in the front wing for example but rear downforce we've really been struggling with that.

"I think in the next race we'll be really struggling."