Hamilton: I'll do my talking on the track

Eurosport - Sat, 18 Oct 14:02:00 2008

Lewis Hamilton has said criticism of his driving style is an inevitable result of his success and said he would do his talking on the track as he chases the world title at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

2008 Chinese GP McLaren Hamilton - 0

The 23-year-old Briton, who could wrap up the championship in Sunday's race, came under fire from rivals Kimi Raikkonen, Mark Webber and Jarno Trulli for his aggression at the wheel during last weekend's race in Japan.

"That's fine with me. They have the right to their own opinion," Hamilton said after dominating the first two practice sessions.

"It's a shame they all think that way but my driving is why I'm here and why I'm leading the championship so I'm not disappointed with the way I drive.

"I do my talking on the track. If other people want to expend their energy thinking about it, that's for them.

"As you can see I don't clash with people, so they can't be that aggressive."

Toyota's Trulli had said he would bring up the matter at Friday's drivers' meeting, but Red Bull's Webber said after the get-together that it had not been mentioned.

Hamilton said the meeting had gone "fine" and that he was focusing on the race, not the clamour surrounding him.

"I look at previous world champions and previous seasons, and a lot of people that have been at the front have had these kind of situations - it's normal," he said.

"If I was in a Force India at the back of the field then no-one would have anything to say about me.

"But everyone has something to say about the people who are at the front and are successful, and whether it's positive or negative it doesn't really matter."

Hamilton came to Shanghai last year needing simply to finish ahead of his rivals to win the championship in his rookie season - but failed to finish the grand prix and eventually lost the title race.

This year he must win the race and hope Ferrari's Felipe Massa - who trails by five points with 20 up for grabs in China and the final race of the season in Brazil - finishes fifth or worse.

After a disappointing run-out in Japan, where he started poorly, collided with Massa and ended up with no points, Hamilton said he was prepared to wait.

"My mentality is I'm not looking at winning it here," he said.

"Last year I was thinking it would have been easy to have won it here in this race. But I'm looking at the fact I have two races and it's important we attack those two races, finish those two races.

"I'm not going into this race saying: 'It has to be done now'. I just want to redeem myself from last week."

Reuters

Comment 116 - 135 of 155

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  1. He's dangerous
    He has no respect for others in Formula 1
    He destroyed Mclarens reputation
    He destroyed Alonso's (For a short while)
    He's destroying his own!

    I remember reading a quote from my favorite driver Nick Heidfeld ,in which he said "Coming to Britain used to be a pleasure, but now you don't get the same respect". I wonder why Mr Hamilton? You're trying to make new Formula 1 fans racist, and believe that Ferrari are the enemy!

    I hope Vettel, Kubica and Massa beat you plenty of times in the future!

    Lewis the mint cake :)

    From Gears Of War, on Sat 18 Oct 6:58PM

  2. HAMILTON should just crash straight into Turn 1 of the Shanghai Grand Prix. Then he should wait for teammate Heikki to come in on lap 2 and throw his steering wheel at Heikki. Then he should walk onto the track and let himself get banged by the safety car. woot

    From Gears Of War, on Sat 18 Oct 6:56PM

  3. Ginger-Gitt, with respect, I'm also an ex racer of both bikes and cars and I can tell you that had I driven with the same reckless abandon as Hamilton, I would have a very flat nose since the folks I raced with, all pro's, would not tolerate that kind of behaviour. At the same time, I can tell you that there are a couple of ex drivers out there that have very flat noses courtesy of me since like the other pro's I don't tolerate dangerous driving on the track either. To race with the pro's, you have to earn their trust and respect and Hamilton has done everything BUT that which is why he will have a hard time passing anything but water in the coming races.

    From USA 1, on Sat 18 Oct 6:46PM

  4. I tell you more. There's a conspiracy against Massa to prevent him from winning the title. The problems he's been having are not all innocent mishaps.

    From Rav A, on Sat 18 Oct 6:16PM

  5. Rav A What are you talking about Alonso was in the SAME car as Hamilton (the rookie) last year and he still couldn't beat him and don't say Hamilton's car was better because that's a load of @#$%...Alonso admitted he lied when he said that

    From Wink, on Sat 18 Oct 5:58PM

  6. princess Ham's statistics - 4 wins out of sixteen races! ZERO fastest lap in 2008. Fastest all around is Kimi. He barely edges Massa in pole positions. For someone driving a McLaren, it is a SHAME. Give the same car to Kubica, Alonso, Kovalainen and they would deliver better.

    From Rav A, on Sat 18 Oct 5:49PM

  7. Get it in first gear this time Hamilton.

    From pHilo, on Sat 18 Oct 4:10PM

  8. I do my talking on the track.
    lol,
    Its quite funny,every sunday says thesame ;)
    i bet he will smash his car ... lol

    From , on Sat 18 Oct 3:34PM

  9. Its quite funny. this brilliant lad is doing so well and all people can say is that he's driving is dangerous? Well like he said if he was in team force india and was alway at the back of the grid, people wouldn't really have much to say. U go Lewis just promise me that you leave the ferrari's biting your dust. Easy brof u got this.

    From Soccerhead, on Sat 18 Oct 2:52PM

  10. tt - You're not the brightest spark are you?!?!? Couldn't you spell your name?!?!?

    Let me explain - by saying "I do my talking on the track", he means that he will respond to the comments of the critics by out performing his competitors. (I hope the words I have used are not too hard for you to read)

    From shawn g, on Sat 18 Oct 2:34PM

  11. funny thing is - by saying "I do my talking on the track", he is doing the exact opposite, he is running his stupid trap again...

    From tt, on Sat 18 Oct 2:28PM

  12. I feel sorry for LH.....If he say's "I" he's regarded as being selfish, if he say's "We", he is seen as trying to spread the blame for any @#$%-up that occurs!!!! Truth of the matter is that the LH/McLaren haters will never be satisfied, and it all boils down to jealousy!

    Like hime or hate him......He IS the most deserving of the title this year. As he has said, he does his talking on the track.....not winging, complaining, and colluding with other drivers/teams!!!

    COME ON LH......BRING THE TITLE HOME!!!!

    From shawn g, on Sat 18 Oct 2:27PM

  13. welldone Lewis, never mind what people say about you!do your job and deleiver the best result for your team and ur self!i'll pray for you!all the best mate
    see you tomorrow in action.
    i think its time for all Lewis hater to mind their business and stop blackmailing.

    From Paul, on Sat 18 Oct 2:17PM

  14. hoodie, i'm not sure why i 'deserve' so much attention, but let me be clear so you don't have to over-analyze anything i say... i do NOT like hamilton, his arrogant public persona is NOT my cup of tea... we all have an opinion, albeit which may not always be based solely in fact, but also on emotion... having said that, we don't all have to see eye to eye on all things, thus i will not be losing any sleep after having read your opinion of my postings... but, thanks for caring!! =;-)

    From sagittarius1958, on Sat 18 Oct 11:40AM

  15. "Do his talking on the track". If that means going into another mindless rage like in Japan that he's right. If it means keeping his starting position after the 1 corner of the race with Kimi behind him, he's very very wrong

    From martin.mitevski26, on Sat 18 Oct 10:28AM

  16. stanleysylui #112 I hope you enjoyed your humble pie. See you on Sunday

    From hoodie, on Sat 18 Oct 10:09AM

  17. well done lewis on qualifying ahead of the 3 Ferrari cars. you hav a tough job fending them.Good luck mate.

    From roodruuner, on Sat 18 Oct 8:46AM

  18. now EXPERIENCE is vital for a win & ALONSO has it

    From antoninnia, on Sat 18 Oct 8:41AM

  19. THERE IS DOUBLE WORLD CHAMP ALONSO IN HIS WINNING 4th slot on the starting grid

    perfect pit lane strategy will bring another victory

    Alonso can sit back and watch the same leaders tangle on first few laps to leave him clear path

    From antoninnia, on Sat 18 Oct 8:40AM

  20. well done lewis on qualifying ahead of the 3 Ferrari cars. you hav a tough job fending them.Good luck mate.

    From roodruuner, on Sat 18 Oct 8:40AM
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