Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton insists he will not change his aggressive driving style despite criticism from some of his rivals. Both Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen have hit out at Hamilton's tactics on the track this season but the 23-year-old remains unmoved.
"I just leave it in the past. The fact is I beat those guys, I'm the world champion," he said. "There's nothing they can do about it. I'll keep pushing to be bigger and better than ever.
"The fans I know I have will continue to support me. They know who I am and what I stand for. They know I go out there and race to be the best."
Hamilton refused to be drawn on remarks by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone that were seen to condone the racist abuse he has suffered.
Hamilton said he had not heard the comments, made by Ecclestone on BBC Radio Five Live this morning, but added that he doubted Ecclestone would have said anything bad about him.
"As long as I've got my country behind me, that's all I need," he said.
He described the support he had been shown by fans as overwhelming.
Radio listeners called the station to complain after Ecclestone dismissed the behaviour of Spanish fans — which has included blacking up and posting racist messages online — as "probably a joke rather than anything abusive".
He said: "I don't see why people should have been (insulted by it). These things are people expressing themselves."