Silverstone: Lewis Hamilton has dropped a clear hint that he will stay at McLaren but warned them that any new contract will have to allow him far more free time to recharge his batteries.

The 2008 Formula One champion also told British reporters ahead of his home Grand Prix at Silverstone that he was in danger of burnout. “You have to make changes,” he said. “When I re-sign the contract with McLaren they are going to be shocked at how many days they are not going to be able to make me do.

“I will be doing a lot less work. I definitely won’t be doing the whole period of time before the Silverstone Grand Prix, that’s for sure. I will have at least five days to prepare in the future.”

“I have just come from the last race and I have had a day or two off and I am certain if you look down the paddock there won’t be many other drivers that have done what I have been doing over the last two weeks,” said Hamilton.

“I am excited for the break,” he added, saying that he felt older and“definitely” faced a risk of burnout.