Ton milestone stuns Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton cannot believe he will be competing in his 100th Grand Prix when he lines up at Hockenheim next weekend.

The 2008 World Champion will become the 61st different driver in history - and the eighth of the current grid - to reach the milestone, five years after making his debut in Australia.

"Unbelievably, next weekend will mark my 100th grand prix," Hamilton said ahead of the German GP.

"That's incredible, because I still remember my first as if it were only yesterday - I guess Formula 1 has that effect on you!"

The 27-year-old, who has claimed 21 poles and 18 wins in his previous 99 GP appearances for McLaren, heads to Germany on the back of a disappointing home race at Silverstone.

But he said he has already put the frustration of the team's poor showing behind him.

"I was quick to get over our disappointing weekend at Silverstone, running with the Olympic flame on the day after the race and then quickly turning my full attention to Hockenheim," Hamilton explained.

The 27-year-old added: "It's always been a regret of mine that I arrived in Formula 1 too late to race on the classic, old Hockenheim layout, where the track disappeared for miles into the forests and was only broken up by a couple of relatively high-speed chicanes.

"It must have been incredible but I very much enjoy the updated track - it's a place that's built for racing."