Hamilton 'not thinking about title'

Eurosport - Wed, 24 Sep 10:42:00 2008

Lewis Hamilton has said he is not thinking about the Formula One World Championship even though there are only four races left.

2008 Italian GP McLaren Hamilton - 0

The 23-year-old Briton arrives in Singapore this week with a one-point lead over Felipe Massa - pending the outcome of his appeal hearing into the Belgium Grand Prix - as the championship enters its final phase with six drivers still mathematically in the hunt.

"I don't think about the title or the other drivers, I just think about doing the best job I can each time I get into the car," the McLaren driver told F1's official website.

"Clearly a number of drivers can still win the title and so I have to make sure that I do my best.

"I don't bank on anything other than myself and my team. I am focused on my challenge and my racing."

Realistically the race for the championship is between Hamilton (78 points) and Massa (77), although Robert Kubica (64), Kimi Raikkonen (57), Nick Heidfeld (53), and Heikki Kovalainen (51) are still contenders.

Much will depend on whether Hamilton can get his victory at Spa-Francorchamps reinstated after race stewards controversially docked him 25 seconds, demoting him to third.

The Briton was found guilty of gaining an advantage by cutting a chicane as he duelled with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in the closing stages of this month's race.

The decision, which awarded Massa victory in Belgium, cost Hamilton four world championship points.

Should his appeal succeed and he is named the Belgian GP winner with Massa put back to second, then he will extend his advantage to seven points.

The points will be a much-needed boost after a poor performance at the last grand prix in Italy, where he made an error in his choice of tyres for qualifying which saw him finish way down the grid.

He ended up seventh in the race, with Massa sixth.

However, Hamilton - who had a sensational rookie season last year, when he finished second in the championship behind Massa's Ferrari team-mate Raikkonen - said he had put it behind him.

"Of course it wasn't the result I was looking for going into the weekend, but part of the charm of Formula One is that it is unpredictable," he said.

"As I said after the race, I was more relieved than anything to come away with some points. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the race."

Asked if it would affect his preparations for Singapore, the sport's first-ever night race, he replied: "The Monza result doesn't mean anything for the next race.

"Each race is different, but I prepare the same for them all. I am looking forward to the race and I'm sure it will be an exciting weekend."

AFP

Comment 76 - 95 of 115

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. Virtually none of us on this site have been racist toward Hamilton! Fact!
    He is immature, big headed, disrespectful, delusional, un-sportsman like, egotistical, and a spoilt brat. Fact!
    None of the other F1 drivers like him because of his driving. Fact!
    You guys of the Lewis fan club are the only ones that bring the colour of his skin into the argument. Fact!
    Conclusion, If that is all you have in defence of your hero, then you are burying your heads in the sand and don't want to look at the truth!
    I know it must hurt!
    But the boy is a @#$%. Accept it!
    Blame his Dad for the way he is not us.

    From Gears Of War, on Wed 24 Sep 1:12PM

  2. I can't wait for the next F1 game by codemasters in 2009...I'm gonna spend all my time ramming Shamilton off the track whilst furiously masturbating!!

    From Gears Of War, on Wed 24 Sep 1:11PM

  3. To All BRITS p.s kenneth o
    "For once there is a racer that doesnt cry to the stewards every 5 minutes"

    It is hamilton crying to the stewards you idiot. Who is appealng he decision? Mcclarren you dumbf*ck. Who tried to have Williams and BMW's points taken away after brazil last year and have hamilton instated as champion - Mcclarren you dumbf*ck. Hamilton is the biggest whining b*tch i have ever seen in any sport.

    Mcclarren should concentrate on teaching hamilton to drive properly. Uncle ron has bought lewser his whole career so if he can't win races on the track without cheating then uncle ron is gunna try and buy him some points in the courtroom too.

    From Gears Of War, on Wed 24 Sep 12:58PM

  4. Losing hair, losing appeal, losing patience, losing championship....What next?

    From Rav A, on Wed 24 Sep 12:46PM

  5. For someone who said that he was the moral winner of the 2008 Championship, after SPA incident, how can say now that he is no thinking about the 2008 championship? Oh, I see...He has already won it. What he's thinking about is the...2009 championship. LOL

    From Rav A, on Wed 24 Sep 12:43PM

  6. Someone asked why is it that the most gifted F1 drivers are the Finns and the Brazilians.....and to a lesser extent the Germans (Shumi, Vettel). Anybody has pertinent answer?

    From Rav A, on Wed 24 Sep 12:33PM

  7. Why does Ham not grow his hair a bit it, could bring on a Samson effect on his thinking prowess.

    From wizzo, on Wed 24 Sep 12:33PM

  8. Cidd44,the bull sit stops when the lids drop.

    From wizzo, on Wed 24 Sep 12:24PM

  9. Young Hamilton is losing his hair fast.

    From Rav A, on Wed 24 Sep 12:24PM

  10. vinny, you get my vote for 'laugh of the day'... but, don't be so @#$% webber, he's kinda cute... =;-))

    From sagittarius1958, on Wed 24 Sep 12:24PM

  11. Re item 80. The reason that they are having to pay is because the FIA KNEW that the appeal would be rejected, as did Ferrari. That is why Ferrari had a top flight QC on hand. Both Ferrari and the FIA used it to cream off more cash from Maclaren.

    From a.bice@..., on Wed 24 Sep 11:35AM

  12. Thanks Tifo,
    With all the slamming and anger that gets posted on in this forum a bit of humor helps to lighten things up a bit.

    From vinnydawg67, on Wed 24 Sep 10:58AM

  13. Vinny, am liking your driver thoughts

    From tifosi4eva, on Wed 24 Sep 10:48AM

  14. what a liar, of course he is thinking about the title, if I was leading the formula1 world championship god knows I would be thinking about it, especially after last year, he will be thinking what he can do differently, how he can win it, and if he really is not thinking about it then Massa will probably win.

    From tifosi4eva, on Wed 24 Sep 10:47AM

  15. why so many childish boring or abusive comments on this site

    when does racing start & moaning end

    From cidd44, on Wed 24 Sep 10:12AM

  16. babs.frank............I remember someone else living in Switzerland for the very same reason, yet no-one slaughters him do they.

    From keithwatson1997@..., on Wed 24 Sep 10:05AM

  17. OK, can someone please clarify this for me. Mclaren were denied an appeal on grounds that their evidence was see as inadmissable. Ok i get that bit.
    But i'm having difficulty understanding why McLaren have to pay for the appeals fees. Now they were denied an appeal, so what is there to pay for.

    From keithwatson1997@..., on Wed 24 Sep 10:01AM

  18. I don't see how any of them aren't thinking about the title...

    1. Hamilton is thinking - The next race is going to help me win the title.
    2. Massa is thinking - The FIA will help me win the title.
    3. Kubica is thinking - With help from LH and PM I just might win this title.
    4. Raikonnen is thinking - I'm going to get my title back next year.
    5. Nick Heidfeld is thinking - Where's my calculator? Can I still win the title?
    6. Kovaleinen is thinking - Ron says I have to help Lewis win the title. !@#%!
    7. Alonso is thinking - I hope anyone but Lewis wins the title.
    8. Trulli is thinking - I wonder what it's like to win the title?
    9. Vettel is thinking - Someday I'll win the title and then I'm finally gonna get paid!
    10. Webber is thinking - I remember I won the title, but then I woke up and found I'd wet the bed.

    From vinnydawg67, on Wed 24 Sep 9:51AM

  19. vinny - p.s. IF you had 'his' number, i'd suggest selling it on e-bay, i hear you can get rid of just about any kind of junk there... one man's junk is another man's treasure!! =;-P

    From sagittarius1958, on Wed 24 Sep 9:41AM

  20. hey, vinny... i was being facetious, you didn't ask me a question directly when you offered your opinion as to why hamilton had his ears covered (not to hear me) and i was merely offering mine, albeit unasked... =;-)

    From sagittarius1958, on Wed 24 Sep 9:14AM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account