Hamilton and Button get behind England

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, driving for an English F1 team, powered by German engines, were getting behind Fabio Capello's men in Sunday's World Cup clash once their Valencia Grand Prix duties were finished.

Ahead of the last 16 match in Bloemfontein in South Africa between the two old rivals, Hamilton said: "It is going to be a tough game, but I think England are improving each time and finding where they have not been so strong.

"In the last game they showed some improvements so I am hoping they will be at their best when they face Germany. They want to beat Germany more than probably any other team."

McLaren-Mercedes team-mate Button said the England team must remain positive and try and relax under the pressure.

"It is always exciting playing Germany. I think we love playing the Germans at football, but it is a little bit sad that it is so early in the competition. I am looking forward to it, and the last game was a pretty tough one for England.

"They won the game (against Slovenia) and now that has given them some more confidence and they are more relaxed - as I know what it?s like to perform under pressure. That means they can play well.

"We were looking smoking in the qualifiers, we looked great, but the first two games were quite difficult. But we haven?t lost a game yet, we have to be positive."

He added that there was no great internal strife in the McLaren team -- which is supplied with Mercedes engines -- because as a customer team there were few Germans around the garage any more.

"It was different last year when we were the main factory team, but they have switched to running their own show now with Ross (Brawn) and that is where the real German heartland in F1 is now."

Michael Schumacher, who won seven titles under Ross Brawn, was, like Mercedes team-mate and fellow-German Nico Rosberg, wearing patriotic emblems on his driving boots in support of Germany's World Cup cause.

"I?m sorry for the English today, what you have to face and go through. It?s tough on you. We have better statistics so all I can say is -- I?m sorry about that, but that?s what it is."

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel predicted the game in Bloemfontein will be decided by penalties, and hopes that, if it does, Germany will come out on top.

"There are some different opinions between myself and the rest of the team, but that is normal. Both of us are not in the most comfortable situation looking at the last couple of matches, but if it gets to penalties, we should be alright."

But the last word went to Hamilton, who said: "I am sure the England team will do well and certainly do their very best. We are all rooting for them here."