“Honestly, I never felt that was a strength of mine in Formula One, making those calls. Generally because the driver only has one view of everything and the guys outside have a better view, and so generally I would rely on the team.
“And definitely in the past there were times when they got it right and some times when they got it wrong. I don’t know how the future is going to go with that but I am glad I have ticked that one off.”
Despite notching up five victories in nine races this season, taking a 17-point lead over team-mate Nico Rosberg, the criticism of Hamilton’s demeanour and lifestyle has continued. Between races he has barely paused for breath, jetting off from Monaco to North America in his bright red private jet.
But unlike earlier in his career, when his private life had an impact on his racing, Hamilton has performed at a high level while maintaining his whirlwind existence.
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The reigning champion went on: “I think it is with everything, I trust my judgement and I trust myself and all the decision that I am making inside and outside of the racing world.
“There are opinions for and against those things but I am still driving the way I am driving, I am enjoying the racing you can see I am 100 per cent in it. It is all paying off.
“In the build-up to Silverstone, there was so much debate about my decisions and things I choose in doing. And the weird thing is that people were talking, I had some really important things that I needed to get done.
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“For example the reason I didn’t do the test, I just knew in myself I was doing the right thing for me but I was always in touch with the engineers and so I didn’t feel like I lost out. It was nice to come here and whilst everyone said that I’d lost out, to show them that wasn’t the case.”
In the two previous years where Hamilton has won the British Grand Prix – 2008 and 2014 – he has gone on to be world champion. He remains the clear favourite.
“That’s the plan, that’s what I’m working towards,” he said. “Last year was exceptional for me and to think that I am doing it just as much as that but a little bit better this year, I didn’t think I could do that.”