Nadal and Hamilton enjoyed famous wins on the same day

Britain's Lewis Hamilton says Rafael Nadal's brilliant triumph at Wimbledon has provided him with inspiration for this year's Formula One title race.

The Spaniard ended Roger Federer's run of five straight Wimbledon titles after an epic battle on Centre Court.

"Nadal had even more hunger, and I think it's impossible to match that once you have done something a lot of times," said Hamilton.

"For me I can probably identify with his hunger to win that first title."

Nadal had lost in the two previous Wimbledon finals to a player regarded as virtually unbeatable on grass, but the world number two simply refused to be beaten in one of the all-time great sporting encounters.

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The English driver missed out on the drivers' title by a single point in his first season in the sport, and he said the pain of missing out was spurring him on this year.

"That hunger within me is definitely greater this year after what happened to me last year," said the 23-year-old.

Hamilton is level with Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen at the top of the overall standings with 48 points.