Lewis Hamilton says he has previously started to turn his attention towards next year's Formula One campaign. The McLaren driver ended fourth in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix after starting second on the grid behind eventual winner Sebastian Vettel, and as a consequence finds himself 126 points adrift of the defensive world champion with six races left to run.
With only 150 points obtainable, it was a downbeat Hamilton that assessed the glaring realization this year's championship is, to all intents and purposes, over. Asked for his aim for the remainder of the season, Hamilton said:To finish the relax of the races, and also work hard on trying to make sure next year's car is quick.
We're still approaching for this year, but it would be sensible to focus on creation sure next year's car is faster than this year's car.Hamilton appears to take satisfaction merely from the fact he had taken the chequered flag at Monza and said he hope to do the same at each of the residual races.
That is an insight into his mindset given the fierce fault that followed his crash in Belgium a fortnight ago. After a 24-lap duel with Michael Schumacher during which Hamilton complained to his team about the German's great weaving to defend his place, he finally got past.I'm glad I over the race,added Hamilton.
I showed people I can drive cleanly and not get into trouble even if the guy in front makes it very hard for me.I got by finally and made it stick, so it was good.Asked about Hamilton's desire to simply finish races and whether he had been mentally exaggerated by the criticism that follows his Spa shunt, McLaren team Principal Martin Whitmarsh said: I don't think so.