This is incredible......or incredibly stupid. Hamilton to keep it 'clean' Eurosport - Thu, 11 Sep 20:50:00 2008 McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has promised to stay "squeaky clean" for the rest of the Formula One season after being stripped of victory in Belgium. The championship leader, punished by stewards in Spa for cutting a chicane while duelling with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in a thrilling finale to that race, arrived at the Italian Grand Prix in fighting form. The Briton said he looked forward to beating Ferrari in their own backyard at Monza, played down the challenge of Brazilian title rival Felipe Massa and even questioned world champion Raikkonen's bravery. Above all, he made clear that he intended to leave no room for argument in the remaining five races. "Everyone in the team feels like we won the race [in Belgium] on moral grounds," the 23-year-old, sounding relaxed and assured as ever, said. "We just have to try our best to stay squeaky clean and stay out of trouble for the rest of the season," added the driver, who left Spa in a state of some disbelief after his fifth punishment in 13 races. Hamilton said Massa, winner of five races and now just two points behind pending an appeal into the Spa result, was the one "on the back foot. "He is the one who has to work damn hard to keep up with me," he said. "I feel like I'm coming here off a win, and moving onto the next race." The Briton was dismissive of a suggestion that Raikkonen was struggling for grip at Spa, preventing him from fully regaining his lead on the straight after the chicane and forcing him to brake earlier into the first corner of the penultimate lap where Hamilton went back in front. "That's his driving. That's the way he drives. If you don't have the balls to brake late, that's your problem," said Hamilton. Hamilton recognised a groundswell of support in England, where outraged fans and the media have been vocal in their condemnation of the stewards' decision, but said he was still in control of his own destiny. "I still have a two-point lead and we are going to make sure that we just continue to attack and perform like we did in the last two races," he said. "I feel great. I think for the next few races our car really will suit the circuits just as well as it did at Spa. We are going to make sure we do the best job we can." Hamilton defended his spirited approach to racing, saying he would continue to try to overtake and entertain whenever possible. "I'm a racer, I do the best job I can on the track and I race my heart off," he said. "There's no-one that puts more heart into it than me. And I really felt in that last race that's what I did and I am just going to make sure that I keep on doing that and showing people what I can do. "I don't think anyone can take that away from me." Reuters
I don't care how great a driver he is, I don't care whether he has a great car, I don't care whether he cheats or wins fair and square. I just don't like him, he is smarmy and arrogant, and I hate seeing his pretty-boy face and listening to his prattle. I feel like a Frenchman at the Tour de France during the reign of Lance Armstrong. And it blows.
The kid needs to learn to keep his mouth shut! He thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread and it's getting downright annoying to listen to. I've said it many times--he's an extremely talented young driver, but his arrogance and attitude have gotten me to the point that i can't stand him!! If he's so good, why doesn't he just let his driving do the talking. Get in the car and DRIVE. Don't talk about how well you're going to drive or how well you think you can drive, or how much better you can drive than anyone else, just shut up and do it. Forza Ferrari, shut him up!
Watching the various in car videos of Spa in the rain I got the heebie-jeebies. F1s on drys in the rain battling for the win and eventual WDC. Those guys were nuts ! All involved, even Kimi, under incredibly difficult conditions, did amazing. Hammi just did better. He is the rainmeister on today's grid. He needs to stop giving any interviews unless Ron tells him what to say. People are just too wussy today when they hear someone speak his mind. Polished PR statements is what we want. Right ?
I remember last year when Hamilton said he couldn't believe how late other drivers were braking, and now he says that? Kimi is on my last nerve with the way he has acted, and Hamilton is talking out the other end way to often.... I'm kinda shocked Alonso has been keeping his trap some what shut this season. Stop the BS and race....
Good lord - what is with some of you? The same style comments have been said by Schumacher, Senna, Prost, Earnhardt, the Busch brothers etc. Yes I'm pulling for Ferrari (as always), but Hamilton has a winning attitude - this is what all great sportsman have. If he were driving for the beloved scuderia - you will all be saying how awesome it is that he doesn't let things like Spa bother him, or that he's not whining about the penalty. Losers call it arrogance............. (Flame suit on) Kevin S. Orchard Park, NY
Not much interest here = no interviews = no chance to screw up. Hami lives with a microphone in front of his face. Everyone waiting for him to slip.
Hamilton need to shut the pie hole, and race. You can call names all ya want, but it makes you look like an idoit. Hami, ya may call names, but it doesn't make you a better driver.
Well that interview takes the cake with me. He is one arrogant little english pr!ck. He is so full of ****e when he says that he feels like he just came off a win. Then he rips into Kimi's driving. This guy is really something else. His head is almost as big as Alonsholes. I think he is going to make some huge mistakes. It is very obvious that he has been gotten to. This interview just shows it beautifully......he is blowing a gasket and I love it. Everyone needs someone to hate and now I have 2. I hope that Massa kicks his butt and buys him a pram for runner up when they get to Brazil. Image Unavailable, Please Login
name calling is for sissies. If he punches raikkonen he'll get some respect from me (even though kimi is my favourite driver...)
LH has shown everyone how late he can brake, and sometimes not brake at all, as an example just remember Canadian GP.
Yeah, but Ali whupped a few butts before making bold claims. I like to see Hamilton be vocal and talking in stripped-down language. And he is the one who has to live up to the talk. It's pretty bold to talk smack about Kimi heading into Italy, but I see it as a refreshing change.
