Motor Sport:Lewis Hamilton has vowed to retain his attacking style in a bid to bring his bad luck to an end at next weekend's European Grand Prix. Hamilton has conceded his frustration following the last two races in Monaco and Montreal after becoming embroiled in a number of incidents.
The most high profile of those saw Hamilton collide with McLaren team-mate Jenson Button in Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix, forcing him into the wall and subsequent retirement with a puncture. Considerable criticism has followed for Hamilton, although he has also received support, including from Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.
Addressing the next situation, Hamilton said: “Those two races were particularly frustrating for me because we showed we had the pace to win both of them, yet I only came away with eight points. For me, Valencia will now be a weekend of consolidation after two disappointing results in Monaco and Canada.
“I’ve always gone well at Valencia, finishing second there in every race, and I really enjoy attacking the track. It’s a difficult circuit with no let-up, but that won’t deter me as I’m really keen to get back on track and get back in the points.
“This race will be our third street circuit in a row, so hopefully it’ll give me the chance to reverse the bad luck I’ve encountered in the previous two.”
Hamilton knows he should have done better of late, adding: “We’ve arguably had the fastest race car in the last three races. That’s really encouraging because I know that, when it’s put to best use, I should be able to finish at the front. As always, that will be my goal next weekend.”
Hamilton’s father, Anthony, has also today jumped to the defence of his son, insisting that what has transpired in the last two races “was just motor racing”.
He added: “In Formula One you only have a split second to make those decisions. Whether they are right or wrong, you take a decision and you have to go with it. At the end of the day if we could all see the future maybe we would do things differently.
“He just has to remain how he is, carry on driving how he is driving. The way he drives now is how he drove to win the world championship. He’s always been like that and he will be like that for the rest of his career. There is nothing wrong with it at all.
“It’s just that now he’s at the front rather than the back, and that’s why everyone has started noticing. But it’s important everybody remains who they are. There is no point in trying to be someone you are not.”
Hamilton has further expressed his disappointment with the comments of Niki Lauda. The three-times champion suggested the McLaren driver was “completely mad” and his actions will one day “result in someone getting killed”.
However, the FIA stewards exonerated Hamilton of any blame for the crash with Button.
“The FIA did not agree with Niki,” added Anthony Hamilton. “It really is a shame that someone with as much experience as him didn’t take time to actually wait for the FIA to make their judgment.
“I wasn’t hurt by it and nor was Lewis. You become thick-skinned in this business and you have to believe in yourself. I believe in Lewis and he believes in what he does.”