Hamilton hoping to shake off illness

Lewis Hamilton is confident he will shake off the effects of 'flu ahead of this weekend's European Grand Prix.

McLaren star Hamilton, who leads the Formula One world title race by 12 points from team-mate Fernando Alonso, has been under the weather for the last few days.

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Hamilton has been taking medication, although at a karting event hosted by team sponsors Vodafone today, it was clear the 22-year-old was still suffering.

"I've just caught a bit of 'flu, but it's okay. I'm really up for it," said

Hamilton.

"I don't think it's going to be a problem. The worst of it was earlier on in

the week.

"Trust me, I'm a lot better now than I was on Monday. I've got some good

medicine, I'm with a good team, so I'm sure there will be no problems."

Hamilton did a few laps of a small karting track just outside the Nurburgring

as he returned to his roots.

That was followed by a group of local 10-year-olds taking part in a race in

front of the young Briton, who has so far finished on the podium in all nine

grands prix of his debut season.