Hamilton plays down tensions with Alonso

Lewis Hamilton is adamant he and Fernando Alonso are "cool" after their old rivalry simmered again last week.

Alonso was incensed following the European Grand Prix in Valencia after watching Hamilton claim second, despite overtaking a safety car deployed in the wake of Mark Webber's spectacular accident.

Hamilton was given a drive-through penalty, yet served it 17 laps after the Webber smash due to circumstances, whilst Alonso trailed home eighth.

Alonso, who had been running third in his Ferrari behind Hamilton when the safety car incident occurred, later claimed the race had been "manipulated" and the Briton had disrespected the rules.

For his part, Hamilton claimed Alonso's comments were sour grapes as old wounds, initially inflicted from their torrid time as teammates at McLaren in 2007, were re-opened.

To ensure, though, there was no lingering animosity between the duo heading into this weekend's British Grand Prix, Hamilton opted to contact Alonso.

"We messaged the other day and things are cool," said Hamilton.

"I messaged him to see how he was doing. He said everything's cool, that he knows how the racing world works and this is a tough year."

If Alonso was indeed positive, that will at least add to Hamilton's relaxed mood going into the busiest week of his year.

The 25-year-old last week spent a few days on holiday in the south of France followed by a paintball day on Friday with team-mate Jenson Button, a few team personnel and several British media.

"I'm relaxed as can be," added Hamilton.

"But I had such a great week. I had my first few days holiday for a good year, so I feel really good.

"I spent most of my days in Monaco, and it was cool to be there. I was in a really private place nearby.

"We drove there at night, went to dinner, to the casino and had some fun. It was really cool.

"But this is going to be a tough week. It gets so busy. It's just trying to maintain all the energy you have."

Hamilton, though, appreciates he has to start enjoying his life a little more as his three years in Formula One have so far flashed by in a blur.

"I am trying to put things in place where I have more time to rest and relax," said Hamilton.

"I'm 25, and before I know it I'll be 30. Time is just going to blow past so I really, really want to make sure I enjoy.

"When some racing drivers, like Jenson for example, got into F1, he went and had fun.

"He splashed out, really enjoyed life, which was rightly deserved whether people criticised it or not. He did it right I think.

"I didn't do any of that stuff, which I also think was right in its way because I was just focused and winning.

"But there is a balance, and it's trying to find that because it's sometimes too safe and too quiet.

"I'm enjoying the racing more than ever, and I want to enjoy doing other things."