Hamilton denies 'not focused' after paparazzi reports
Jul.28 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton has hit back at suggestions he might be letting his priorities slip, after paparazzi recently snapped unflattering photos of the McLaren driver at the end of a big night out in London.
The reports come at an awkward time for the 2008 world champion, as it is believed he is locked in delicate negotiations with the famous British team over the terms of his 2013 contract.
"I have been out once in the UK in the last eight months," Hamilton, 27, insisted in Budapest on Friday.
"I didn't even go out on new year's eve," said the Briton.
"This whole 'not focused' stuff ... I have never been so focused in my life. I have never trained so hard in my life. I have never dedicated so much time of my life to preparing for a Grand Prix."
Some, however, are sure Hamilton is now letting his celebrity lifestyle take too much of a hold, raising the question of how he knows where to draw the line.
"You just do (know)," he is quoted by the Daily Mail. "That is why we are the top drivers, because we know how to do it. Downtime is important."
Hamilton was fastest in both practice sessions in Hungary on Friday.
"It's been a really positive day. I'm very happy," he said.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Hamilton "never had so much understeer in my life" in China F1 GP
Russell: Hamilton F1 sprint podium doesn’t disguise progress Mercedes still needs
The status factor that made Ferrari impossible for Hamilton to turn down
McLaren "surprised" by China F1 race pace after sprint struggles
Norris: "Nothing pointed" to McLaren's shock China F1 form
How Bruce McLaren's death shaped more than just his F1 team
McLaughlin issues statement following St. Pete disqualification
Full-time IndyCar move “an option” says supersub Pourchaire
When Senna broke his F1 duck by walking on water
Josh Berry "not necessarily panicked" over tough 2024 season
How Stroll and Magnussen revealed the scale of F1’s racing and rules problems
Did F1's new sprint format work?
Chinese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024
Why Verstappen's China F1 win was a sideshow to the real battle
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments