Lewis Hamilton will be glued to the Olympics later this month as he takes a breather from his bid to win the Formula One world title.
With F1 ready to take a summer sabbatical following this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, it will afford championship leader Hamilton the opportunity to take in the Games in Beijing.
The 23-year-old will be looking to head into the break still in possession of his lead, which currently is four points to Felipe Massa and seven to reigning champion Kimi Raikkonen.
That will allow him to relax in front of his television, cheering on the British team.
"I love watching the Games, and will try to catch as much of it as I can on TV," said Hamilton.
"I'm really looking forward to it. It's exciting, and amazing how quick it has come round."
Hamilton, a super-fit sportsman himself, added: "I have massive admiration for all world-class athletes.
"I hugely respect the commitment, dedication and ambition of anyone who makes it to the Olympic Games, whether they win a medal or not.
"The fact is every event, even the less well-known ones, will be won by men and women who have made enormous sacrifices to achieve what they achieve.
"I wish them all well, but I'm obviously biased, so being British I want to say a special 'good luck' message to the British team.
"I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for all our guys."
As a big athletics fan, Hamilton would ideally have followed in the footsteps of Seb Coe and Steve Ovett if he could have competed in any one event at the Games.
"The events I enjoy most are the pure fitness events - sprinting, middle-distance running, long-distance running, and the marathon," added Hamilton.
"When I was at school I did athletics. I did the javelin, which I tried recently, and I'm not very good at it any more.
"But I was always good at middle distance, the 800metres, so I would probably have done that."
When it was put to Hamilton that Britain could do with a new 800m star, he quickly replied: "We could also do with a British Formula One world champion, so I will focus on that."
Hamilton at least ended today in a good mood, setting the fastest lap at the end of the two practice sessions at the Hungaroring.
After posting a time of one minute 20.554 seconds, Hamilton quickly dismissed suggestions he is favourite to land pole from qualifying.
"I never see myself as favourite," insisted Hamilton.
"Today was a smooth day, quite relaxed. Heikki (Kovalainen) and I both had a very productive day, with no problems with the car.
"I feel even from the last race we've made another step. At the moment I feel very comfortable in the car.
"But also I feel there's still time for me to find, and I'm going to do that.
"We've the pace to attack and go for the win. It's down to us to pull it out of the bag."
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