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| Lewis Hamilton during a night exhibition race in Mumbai, on Sunday |
Mumbai: Lewis Hamilton on Sunday dismissed reports of leaving McLaren as “rubbish” and said he is focusing on regaining his world championship title after five years.
Reports had said that McLaren want to sign Mexican Sergio Perez of Sauber next season in place of Hamilton, who is negotiating a £60-million offer from Mercedes.
“I have not signed up with anyone. I don’t have a timeline (to sign a new contract). But then, I have to get it (contract) sorted out. People are doing this in the background.
“A lot of stories are written about it, a lot of speculations... But I’m not getting distracted with this rubbish. I’m 100 per cent focused on the world championship,” the 27-year-old McLaren driver said during an interaction with the media here.
“At present, winning the world championship is my target,” said the 2008 champion.
The Briton is currently lying second, 37 points behind leader Fernando Alonso of Spain, after winning three races this season.
Seven more races are remaining to be run this season with the next one coming up at Singapore next week.
Hamilton said he and his teammate Jenson Button (sixth position currently) are in a strong position in the constructors’ championship.
“We could have done better in Barcelona (where he was docked a penalty point and sent to the rear of the grid). But we learn from experience. We are in a strong position and will only get stronger as the season progresses,” he said.
Hamilton also said that this is the first year since 2009 that all teams had more or less equal chances following changes in the regulations made by FIA.
“Every year, FIA is making changes in the regulations to make the competition closer. And this has been the best year for all the teams,” he said.
Asked about the recent statement of International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge that F1 can never be part of the Games as it was not a contest between humans, Hamilton insisted it was a competition between man and machine.
“I won’t respond to the statement. It’s a competition between man and machine. People are working together,” he said.
“Frankly speaking, the concept we are having is the Games are about the competition for the athletes not for equipment.
“Therefore, while having a lot of respect (for F1), they will not be included into the Olympic programme,” the IOC chief from Belgium had said at Silverstone in July after a visit to the British GP event.
Talking about his fourth visit to India on behalf of sponsors, Hamilton said in a lighter vein that he may be a Formula One driver, but he cannot even think of driving in Mumbai roads.
“It’s a crazy thing, the way vehicles are being manoeuvred, I can never drive here,” he said.
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