There's not a lot that separates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg on the track, but off it the pair aren't exactly close. But this hasn't stopped them parking up their motor homes next to each other at the Silverstone circuit this weekend. When Rosberg was told how he'd accidentally pitched up next to Hamilton, he joked: "I've organized to put up a big fence in between."
There's not a lot that separates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg on the track, but off it the pair aren't exactly close. But this hasn't stopped them parking up their motor homes next to each other at the Silverstone circuit this weekend. When Rosberg was told how he'd accidentally pitched up next to Hamilton, he joked: "I've organized to put up a big fence in between."
Charles Coates/Getty Images/file
F1 drivers past and present mix in the private campsite at Silverstone.
F1 drivers past and present mix in the private campsite at Silverstone.
Sarah Holt/CNN
There are ex-team bosses too. This tent belongs to former Jordan team principal Eddie Jordan. "It all started because the traffic to Silverstone was horrific and to avoid all that it became fashionable to stay in tents," Jordan told CNN.
There are ex-team bosses too. This tent belongs to former Jordan team principal Eddie Jordan. "It all started because the traffic to Silverstone was horrific and to avoid all that it became fashionable to stay in tents," Jordan told CNN.
Sarah Holt/CNN
"Tents became caravans and caravans became motor homes and this little area is for the drivers," continued Jordan, seen here pictured with Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo. "A lot of the drivers are staying here. It just takes the stress out of it altogether."
"Tents became caravans and caravans became motor homes and this little area is for the drivers," continued Jordan, seen here pictured with Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo. "A lot of the drivers are staying here. It just takes the stress out of it altogether."
Mark Thompson/Getty Images/file
The campsite is a good place for drivers to mingle and relax away from the heat of battle on track. Qualifying for the British GP is on Saturday with the race -- round 9 of this year's championship - taking place on Sunday.
The campsite is a good place for drivers to mingle and relax away from the heat of battle on track. Qualifying for the British GP is on Saturday with the race -- round 9 of this year's championship - taking place on Sunday.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Fast track to a good night's sleep
Silverstone CNN  — 

How would you feel if your neighbor unexpectedly pitched his tent next to you on a weekend away?

That is the scenario Formula One title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg faced at the British Grand Prix.

The Mercedes teammates parked their swish motor homes next to each other at the exclusive drivers’ campsite inside the Silverstone circuit.

Close rivals

“I’m staying next door to him,” revealed Hamilton, who held a narrow lead over Rosberg at the top of the World Championship before the British GP.

When his German rival was told how he’d accidentally pitched up next to Hamilton, he joked: “I’ve organized to put up a big fence in between.”

Read: Hamilton and Rosberg’s rivalry boils over

The expectant father added: “I hope he doesn’t party too loud.”

Hamilton and Rosberg, who were friends in their teenage years, also live in the same apartment block in Monte Carlo.

Exclusive campsite

In fact, there’s a bit of a reunion of Monaco residents in the private British Racing Drivers’ Club campsite.

Also towing their luxury motor homes to the green, green grass of home are McLaren driver Jenson Button and former British GP winner David Coulthard, who both live in Monte Carlo.

German Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg has also bagged himself a pitch, with the team’s headquarters handily a stone’s throw away.

Read: Hamilton ‘can challenge Schumacher’s record’

“We had a barbeque on Thursday night and there was [1992 world champion] Nigel Mansell, Coulthard, Jenson and Hulkenberg,” explained former F1 team boss Eddie Jordan.

“We were in a little huddle there and DC was burning the sausages.”

F1 glamping

It may seem bizarre that the world-class drivers would want to ring round a campfire instead of bed down in a plush hotel ahead of a race weekend.

But camping – or “glamping” given the size of the 40-foot motor homes and facilities such as flat-screen TVs, sliding walls and separate bedrooms – has become a bit of a tradition at the British race.

“It all started because the traffic to Silverstone was horrific and to avoid all that it became fashionable to stay in tents,” explained Jordan to CNN.

“Tents became caravans and caravans became motor homes and this little area is for the drivers. A lot of the drivers are staying here. It just takes the stress out of it altogether.”

Jordan said he was already plotting plans to camp at the Belgian Grand Prix too.

After their spectacular 2014 Belgian bust-up – when Rosberg clipped the rear of Hamilton’s car and effectively ended his race – the two Mercedes drivers might not fancy camping quite so closely in Spa.

Read: Rosberg dominates Austrian GP