“This has probably been the most trying year, the most testing year, of
my career so far.
“I don’t have an answer for it. It’s not about how or what I’ve done this
year, it is about how I rise out of it, how I rise above it, and how I come
out on top at some stage.”
Hamilton ran into the back of the Ferrari of Brazilian Felipe Massa in the
last race in Singapore a fortnight ago, which sparked a verbal and minor
physical altercation between the drivers after the race.
Massa said on Thursday that he had “nothing to say” about the
incident, which came after the two drivers collided at Monaco earlier this
season.
The McLaren driver insisted he had moved on from the controversy.
Hamilton said: “I’m focusing on this weekend. It’s a shame we are still
talking about the previous race, but that’s the way it goes. I’m over it
(and) it’s in the past. I had my penalty so I don’t feel I owe anyone.
“I don’t have any problems with him. I’m sure I will see him throughout
the weekend and hopefully speak about normal things.”
Hamilton said he was aware of the negative press that came out of the
Singapore incident with Massa, but was focusing more on learning from his
mistakes than responding to the critics.
“I have an amazing job, so I cannot really complain. Regardless of people
writing **** about me, I just keep my head focused on the main thing, which
is to try and win races.
“People need to understand that there is not one second you drive around
that is the same as the last. There is not one corner that is the same the
next lap.
“You could drop the ball, lock up a wheel, go straight and continue.
“Or you could drop the ball and it gives you a penalty. I seem to be
dropping that particular ball quite often, but it is not always in the same
place.
“It is easy to say you can learn from that one mistake but it is
happening in other places.”
Meanwhile, Williams driver Rubens Barrichello believes Hamilton’s high profile
has cast him as the villain while other drivers in the middle of the pack
and off camera avoid punishment.
“Formula One has more overtaking nowadays, but in reality DRS (drag
reduction system) has made some cars quicker in qualifying, but not as quick
in racing,” Barrichello said.
“That makes the grid and you have more overtaking from this. He
(Hamilton) has been caught more there (the grid), but then he has been the
one who has done more overtaking than some of the others.
“I’m not saying everything is okay, but as far as I’m concerned it would
be too unfair to pinpoint this or that.
“If the camera was looking at 13th and 14th, for example, it would amaze
you what is happening there.
“Sometimes we get to the briefing and say to Charlie (Whiting, race
director) ‘I tried to overtake this guy but he just blocked me’, but he
didn’t see it.
“It’s just because he (Hamilton) is on TV, and he is a guy who can get to
the top and win a race.”
It has been suggested what happened in Singapore is the last straw for the
drivers and they will make a complaint against Hamilton in tomorrow’s
customary pre-race briefing with Whiting.
But Barrichello does not believe that will be the case, adding: “I don’t
think that’s happening. I think someone has made that up.
“During the briefings we talk about everything, and then with the GPDA
(Grand Prix Drivers’ Association) we get together and talk a bit further.
“For example, a lot was said about what (Michael) Schumacher did to Lewis
at Monza (weaving across his line), that it was unfair, but then it got to
the briefing and nobody actually said anything.
“There’s too much talking and not enough action, so I don’t think there
will be anything regarding Lewis.”