BMW Sauber's Polish driver Robert Kubica drives at the Istanbul Park circuit. (Photo: Getty Images)

Kubica not pushing for BMW's KERS return -- BMW-Sauber's race drivers on Thursday confirmed that their car will again not feature KERS for the British Grand Prix weekend. The German squad was initially the staunchest advocate of the controversial energy re-use technology, but amid its competitive problems recently dropped it to focus on honing aerodynamic improvements. The 2009 car has a new front wing at Silverstone, while a bigger bodywork upgrade is scheduled for the forthcoming Nurburgring race. Robert Kubica has never been a fan of KERS, and on Thursday he told reporters that he will not be pushing for it to return to the F1. 09 package. "To be honest I think we have bigger problems for now," said the Pole. "When you're struggling with things that have a much bigger effect on the lap time, it's better to go safer," he added.

Special helmet for Hamilton's British return -- Lewis Hamilton will wear a special helmet livery to mark his return to Silverstone as the defending winner of his home British Grand Prix. Last July, the eventual world champion's drive to an ultra-dominant win in the treacherous wet conditions was peerless, as he finished more than a minute ahead of second place. This weekend, the 24-year-old does not have a competitive McLaren with which to push for victory, but his helmet paint tweak shows he is still keen to pay back his fans for his 2008 achievements. The design is modified at the top, depicting his usual helmet having been ripped away to show a Union Jack flag underneath. Added diamonds at Monaco aside, it is the first time Hamilton has changed his familiar mustard-yellow helmet since debuting in 2007. "I wanted to choose a design that not only showed that I am a British sportsman but, more importantly, recognized all the support I get from the fans at Silverstone," he said. Hamilton is also concerned that, if Donington's plans for the 2010 British Grand Prix fail, Sunday might be the last Formula One race in the historic host nation. "Formula one just wouldn't be the same without the British Grand Prix," he said. "It is out of the question."

Also Button has special helmet for home GP -- Like countryman Lewis Hamilton, Britain's Jenson Button will also use a special helmet livery to mark his home race at Silverstone this weekend. The runaway championship leader has shelved his now-familiar bright yellow color-scheme for the British Grand Prix in favor of a more patriotic flavor. The white, red and blue livery, with a 'push the button' theme, was designed, oddly, by an Austrian fan, as part of a competition run on the 29-year-old Brawn driver's website. "What I loved about Bernie's design was its unique take on the Union Jack flag and how he had incorporated it into my own Button logo," said the Briton after trying on the revised helmet for the cameras in the Brawn garage.

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