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

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  1. oh the fia reject his appeal what a surprize you no im sure the letters f.i.a realy stand for ferrari is are's coz they seem to help them alot what is going on in the world of F1 these days

    From davedeer94, on Wed 24 Sep 9:11AM

  2. faucherreece did you not notice how lh got straight behind kr to get a tow thats why the stewards quite rightly demoted him for cheating have you also not noticed how dangerously he was driving he could have had 2 or 3 cars off he is just a nutter & a cheat i just hope if he tries it again on mark webber etc they keep there word & run him off the track maybe then that will knock some sence into him but then i suppose the way he drives is only to be expected when you drive for dodgy ron face it mcclaran were caught cheating (at last) last year they or rd should have been kicked out of f1 for a year at least & before you accuse me of being a racist i dont care what colour a driver is i would love to see a british champion be he black white yellow or green but when we get one lets have one we can be proud of not just a senna like cheat

    From U R SOLES, on Wed 24 Sep 9:00AM

  3. Saggi,
    I wouldn't dream of trying to silence you. I know better. I've got a better chance of defeating death itself. You go girl! =;-)

    By the way, what question are you referring to? I didn't ask one. If you're asking me one I'll stop you now...the answer is "no" I do not have Lewis Hamiltons phone number. Try asking Tifosi4eva. =;-)

    From vinnydawg67, on Wed 24 Sep 6:32AM

  4. hey, there, mga... i have no clue as to what your ability might be when it comes to knowing that you are in the presence of a woman... but, thanks for the clarification, i'm sure that somewhere someone will be able to sleep better after reading your post... gotta be honest, it really won't make any difference where i'm concerned...

    From sagittarius1958, on Wed 24 Sep 12:39AM

  5. sagi i never said woman i said female. a woman is a nice thing to behold.a female is the opposite a mean vindictive nasty piece of work.hence the use of female referring to you

    From MGA, on Tue 23 Sep 11:32PM

  6. kenneth o... what exactly are you smoking?? i have NEVER put my picture on this forum... there's no reason to... though, you are partially right, being born in 1958 makes me 'almost' fifty... so what?? you have a problem with that too???

    From sagittarius1958, on Tue 23 Sep 10:09PM

  7. vinnydawg67 -- that's a pretty pathetic attempt at silencing me from offering further opinions... it's not working... besides, if i had to take a guess, i'd say hamilton was trying to ignore the f.i.a. ruling today... thanks for asking!! =;-))

    From sagittarius1958, on Tue 23 Sep 10:06PM

  8. kenneth o... i noticed his arrogance from day one... clear enough??

    From sagittarius1958, on Tue 23 Sep 10:03PM

  9. wwbarry1958 -- i'm not sure why i should be interested in all the cars you have owned in the past and why... all i said was that you'd probably not be 'accepted' as a likely candidate for a ferrari... you really did not have to regale all and sundry with your financial status... out of curiosity, did you ever buy yourself an f1 driver??

    From sagittarius1958, on Tue 23 Sep 10:02PM

  10. you people are fighting each other for the best F1 driver but do you think that when you meet them on the races and tell them that you're fighting or depenfing for them for their rights they will appreciate it? its a BIG question ?!!!! Let them fight and watch the remaining races and enjoy!!! you're waisting your time typing your comments for nothing you're all st****pid!

    From paris_tifosi, on Tue 23 Sep 9:52PM

  11. British !!! He lives in Swizerland so as not to pay our taxes But we all have to pay !! and pay very high price to go see him race he takes the money and runs

    From Frank, on Tue 23 Sep 9:42PM

  12. oh and all the british people shud be supporting hamilton... cos last time i checked when was the last time there was british driver tht could @#$% close to winning or wining the f1

    From reece, on Tue 23 Sep 9:11PM

  13. any1 who says hamilton is @#$% and loser.. they need to look in the mirror and think could i even @#$% close to wht hamilton has achieved in such a small amount off time... hamilton shud have neva been punished cos Raikkonen then got infront of hamilton again so how did the short cut give hamilton an advantage... if any of you are going to talk speak wht you see and judge dont be immature and tryin to get a kick out of putting talented drivers down..

    From reece, on Tue 23 Sep 9:10PM

  14. Hamilton fans love to say their darling lost the title last year by one point in his rookie season. Can you please remind me who had a 17 point lead over the eventual champion with two races left?

    From arshad_iceman2, on Tue 23 Sep 9:04PM

  15. Time to make up excuses for blowing the championship again

    From arshad_iceman2, on Tue 23 Sep 8:56PM

  16. Actually that picture of Lewis says "to hell with the arshad_iceman2s, Kwadrinios, Sagittarius1958s and tofosi4evas" Boy has time for better things

    From Kenneth O, on Tue 23 Sep 8:36PM

  17. arshad_iceman2 - i think you do sound silly saying Hamilton can't drive and think at the same time. Is that the same Hamilton who is leading the Championship and the one that lost last year's championship by a point in his rookie season? I don't get it pal, I'd like to see your CV - but with reasoning like that, it's probably @#$%.

    From Kenneth O, on Tue 23 Sep 8:33PM

  18. icgrant
    Hamilton would use his brain only if he could figure out how to both drive and think at the same time

    From arshad_iceman2, on Tue 23 Sep 8:17PM

  19. The picture says it all. Maybe Hamilton himself is getting sick of the rubbish that comes out of his mouth every time he opens it

    From arshad_iceman2, on Tue 23 Sep 8:14PM

  20. * SPOT THE D I F F E R E N C E *

    - If Massa "Gets" the Championship in Brazil (his backyard) it would have been "GIVEN" to him.

    - IF Hamilton "Wins" the Championship, he will have "EARNT" it!

    From Ed, on Tue 23 Sep 7:59PM
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