26/06/2011
NEWS STORY
Despite insisting that he will not change his attacking style, Lewis Hamilton has admitted that he needs to finish the European GP and therefore may need to think twice before making certain moves.
Penalised by the race stewards for a number of incident in Monaco and severely criticised by F1 legend Niki Lauda after crashing out in Montreal, it is fair to say that Lewis Hamilton is under intense scrutiny at present.
While some defend the youngster's attacking, balls-out approach to racing others believe he is an accident waiting to happen. Indeed, there are some who cite his new management company, claiming the youngster needs the calming influence of his father again.
However, speaking to reporters in Valencia, while admitting that he has no intention of easing off, Hamilton admits that he does need to start finishing some races and winning points if he is to remain in contention for the title. Other than teammate Jenson Button, Hamilton is the only driver who has prevented Sebastian Vettel standing on the top step of all seven podiums thus far this season.
"I want to finish. That's the key," he said on Saturday afternoon, having qualified third for today's race. "I'll always remain as aggressive as I am," he continued, "however, instead of thinking once about a manoeuvre, you'll perhaps think twice. If that means you're more cautious, then so be it, but if I get the opportunity then I'm going to attack and try to take it."
Asked if the criticism from former champions, including Lauda, who warned that he is a danger to himself and his rivals, might cause him to change his approach to racing, Hamilton replied: "Not a single thing.
Things happen for certain reasons," he continued. "Of course you look at them and analyse whether you think you are in the right place or the wrong place and if you made the right decision or didn't. But it's just the way life is. It's just happened in two races and hopefully it won't happen again. I don't know why the previous overtaking manoeuvres were much cleaner and much easier. Maybe the drivers are feeling they can put up even more of a fight than they have in the past."
With some doubting that he really could change his style from Senna-like to Prost and think twice before making certain moves, Hamilton said: "When an opportunity arises you have a choice to either take it or not to take it, and the opportunity most likely will come around again. So you can decide not to take it the first time and then take it the second time, perhaps."