Hamilton faces a vital race this weekend

Lewis Hamilton believes his home crowd can roar him to victory in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend.

Hamilton is 10 points behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa and will be cheered on by the majority of an expected 240,000 people over the three days.

"There's just something about racing in your home country that definitely affects you," said the McLaren driver.

"It's not something you experience anywhere else, but it does make you that bit more determined to succeed."

After finishing third from pole position last year, the 23-year-old would dearly love to win at the circuit this time.

"You can't really say what it is, but the familiarity of your surroundings and the support of the crowd gives you a boost throughout the weekend," added Hamilton.

If we can beat the Ferraris and win on home turf it will be such a blow to everyone else Lewis Hamilton

"Winning your home race is something that every driver wants to achieve.

"People talk of winning the 'big four' - Silverstone, Monaco, Monza and Spa - but it's more straightforward for me.

"I want to win the first race of the season. I want to win Monte Carlo - both of which I did for the first time this year - and I want to win my home Grand Prix.

"Those are my goals and I'm ready for the challenge at Silverstone this weekend.

"We just need to get a really good strong points finish. If we can beat the Ferraris and win on home turf it will be such a blow to everyone else."

Hamilton is behind Massa in the current drivers' championship, having failed to pick up any points at the Canadian and French Grands Prix.

606: DEBATE Your views on the British Grand Prix

But he insists he is in a relaxed frame of mind ahead of this weekend's race, despite all the promotional work he has done this week.

"It's very important you don't worry about things, so you try to keep your mind very clear," said Hamilton.

"I might talk to my brother or watch some comedy, whatever it takes to take my mind off the actual race.

"If you think about the race you think about the first corner, you think about the start, the possibilities of people crashing in to you - all these different things.

"It's better you don't think about that and just go out there. I know how to drive, and you've got to hope for the best."