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 36 - 55 of 115

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  1. As this picture shows: Lewis does not listen! If he Says he "is not thinking about the Championship", then he is a Liar! Come on, After blowing it last year (by one point!), HOW CAN HE NOT BE THINKING ABOUT IT? Bull Pucky! He should be thinking about the Constructors Championship and helping his team and teammate! He should be thinking about the Drivers championship because he is only 1 (ONE!) point in the lead at this point. "Not thinking about it..." Pretty lame comments from the contender!

    From SFD Loves the Bay Area, on Tue 23 Sep 7:55PM
  2. The ruling makes no common sense! If the drive through can never be appealed against then why allow the waste of time & money having an appeal?
    It has no logic! Truth has no bearing in the eyes of judges, referees & stewards.
    It is just the same as 'The goal that never was' by Reading on Saturday! Never mind the truth or the facts - The ruling has been made and it cannot be changed even if it is wrong - Hiel Hitler!

    From seer, on Tue 23 Sep 7:34PM
  3. If Hamilton wants to win a title he should:

    1. Join Ferrari, or
    2. Use his brain and have realised that letting Raikkonen win with Massa coming 3rd was going to upset the applecart in Ferrari and have Raikkonen and Massa fighting themselves in the next races.

    From icgrant, on Tue 23 Sep 7:24PM
  4. just goes to show that racisim is even in f1.
    if the driver had been schumacker, then he would still
    have been declaired the winner.
    god bless corrucption.
    the fia panel are just a set of prats.

    From d0ug1emac@..., on Tue 23 Sep 7:21PM
  5. Don't be fooled Sagittarius1958 is a graying male, somewhere between 35 and 45, could be 50. He had his picture here once and replaced it. When you have such hate within, i guess you don't want to be identified.

    From Kenneth O, on Tue 23 Sep 7:15PM
  6. ......If Hamilton isnt a skilled driver, then what does that make Massa? = HE'S AN INFERIOR DRIVER TO HAMILTON!

    Remember, MASSA is DEPENDANT on "SUPPORT" - "HELP" - "BACKING" - "ASSISTANCE" & "GUIDANCE" From Schumacher & FIA-RRI!!!

    From Ed, on Tue 23 Sep 7:08PM
  7. U write only about this imature , write more about real drivers like Massa and Raikkonen,and not this loser

    From Cash, on Tue 23 Sep 7:04PM
  8. I love the picture of Lewis above. He's shutting out all of Saggi's rants and ravings. Now I learn she's a woman! I knew there was a secret, closeted crush behind it all! You always hurt the one you love Saggi, but Lewis can't hear you. ;-)

    From vinnydawg67, on Tue 23 Sep 6:57PM
  9. Sagittarius - you have been at LH forever - long before his 'arrogance'

    From Kenneth O, on Tue 23 Sep 6:31PM
  10. sagittarius I came from a family of decent means , and have owned numerous cars over my lifetime , I considered purchasing a Ferrari in the early 80's , instead I went with a Porsche . I personally enjoyed the car for the first five years , due to numerous repairs , the charm wore off . I could only imagine the trouble I would have gone through had I gone with the Ferrari . I currently own an E class and an S class in which I appreciate every time I get behind the wheel , the S class now has 22.1000 miles and cost me Less than $600.00 in repairs in the last 8 years . Ever wonder how much upkeep there is on a Farrari ? I don't know either . But I will make an educated guess it would be alot more than $600.00 in 8 years . So do not even try to tell me what to appriciate in my chioce of automobiles . Have you even driven a Benz ?

    From barry w w, on Tue 23 Sep 6:24PM
  11. Do you all not remember Prost & Senna taking each other out during Championship runs one year, and then the next year also for payback. It was some great racing besides those mishaps. It has been going on forever. You think it wasn't on LH's mind when he went into the back of Kimi at Montreal......be for real please. HK has been behind LH title hopes for the entire year. At least Ferrari tells it like it is......Go Massa Forza Ferrari

    From mrrat1ssj, on Tue 23 Sep 6:19PM
  12. Injustice.

    From Pete, on Tue 23 Sep 5:55PM
  13. mark.walkes (comment #14)
    Thank you mate for being a racing fan. I had hoped this forum was for fans like us and not an opportunity to vent hate towards another team or individule. Oh well.....

    From sdcharger717, on Tue 23 Sep 5:50PM
  14. you're right richard t... unfortunately, racism is obviously alive and well in this forum, seeing as anything that is ferrari and italian seems to come under fire on a regular basis... NOT all italians are affiliated to the mafia... just as not all britons are mclaren fans... enough already... hamilton can't be everybody's cup of tea, for ME, it has NOTHING to do with his background, but EVERYTHING to do with his arrogance...

    From sagittarius1958, on Tue 23 Sep 5:45PM
  15. d.bristow550 -- p.s. i don't think there were ever any 'morally declared' champions, but please, correct me if i'm wrong!! =;-))

    From sagittarius1958, on Tue 23 Sep 5:42PM
  16. d.bristow550 -- thank you, finally a voice of reason... legends are not born, nor are they appointed as ron dennis has decided... legends are created over a long period of sustained success... too bad that so many mclaren fans are so desperate that they are willing to constantly use offensive comments in order to justify themselves... sigh... i have to agree with forza ferrari, i USED to think most formula 1 fans were more sophisticated than many have proven themselves to be here... maybe it's just that there are a lot of people jumping on the fairweather bandwagon... hopefully, they will all fall off and those of us who seriously follow the sport can get back to enjoying it...

    From sagittarius1958, on Tue 23 Sep 5:41PM
  17. i didnt know racism still exist in F1. n,way @#$% show them that you can do it with all the prejudice.

    From Richard Tanui, on Tue 23 Sep 5:34PM
  18. Just give the lad a fair chance-nothing more. There has been plenty of bad driving over the years, read a few biography's. Ken .

    From KENNETH, on Tue 23 Sep 5:27PM
  19. wwbarry1958 -- considering the process of acquiring a "new" ferrari, i'd suggest you wouldn't have to worry about the option of not owning one... better that way, since you obviously wouldn't appreciate what you had... =;-))

    From sagittarius1958, on Tue 23 Sep 5:25PM
  20. mga -- another sexist human being?? what does me being a woman have anything to do with me being a ferrari fan??

    From sagittarius1958, on Tue 23 Sep 5:21PM
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