Lewis Hamilton dismissed a depreciative comment from former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, and insists he is a better driver today than he has ever been in his F1 career.
Earlier this week, Ecclestone claimed that the seven-time world champion has made too many mistakes this season and was no longer the fighter he once was, adding that Hamilton may well call it a day on his time in F1 despite the Briton recently extending his contract with Mercedes until the end of 2023.
"I have spoken to lots of people about this and perhaps Lewis is not quite the fighter that he was," said the 90-year-old. "There are lots of occasions this year where he could have done better and he hasn’t.
"He hasn’t had any competition, the equipment has always been super, and he hasn’t really had to make the effort. But now maybe he is thinking that he better take it a bit easier.
"At the beginning of the year I thought he would look to win the championship and then retire. But it appears not, even though I wouldn’t rely too much on contracts. He can escape from that.
"He probably had a look at the clothing range and music but realised that it is not as easy to make money there as it is in Formula 1."
Needless to say, Hamilton was unimpressed with Mr E's assertions which he delivered ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix, during an eventful week for the Mercedes driver.
"I actually wasn’t aware of it [Ecclestone’s comments] until I arrived this weekend," Hamilton said.
"Honestly this has been such an interesting week. We had the football which was exciting for one moment and then obviously quite difficult afterwards, and we’ve had this amazing support and positivity I would say since.
"And then obviously with this [Hamilton] Commission, I’ve just been focused on that. No-one’s side-tracking me."
Hamilton agreed with Ecclestone's claim that he wasn't the same driver as before, but not for the same reasons as the former F1 boss.
"I’m definitely not the driver I was when I started," he said. "I think I’m better and I know myself way more than I ever did."
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