06/10/2011
NEWS STORY
As the media awaits the latest twist in what has been a fairly controversial season, Lewis Hamilton admits that 2011 has been the worst year of his entire career.
"Up until 2008, I'd won a championship every second year of my career since I was eight years old," he told reporters at Suzuka. "I've done pretty well until now, but I've had a couple of tough years.
"This has probably been the most trying year, the most testing year, of my career so far," he continued. "I don't have an answer for it. It's not about how or what I've done this year, it is about how I rise out of it, how I rise above it, and how I come out on top at some stage."
With Felipe Massa insisting that he wants to move on from Singapore, media attention shifts to Hamilton and whether he feels the same. Asked about his collision with the Brazilian, the subsequent 'discussion' in the paddock, not forgetting Rob Smedley's comments, Hamilton tries not to rise to the bait. "I'm focusing on this weekend," he said. "It's a shame we are still talking about the previous race, but that's the way it goes. I'm over it, it's in the past. I had my penalty so I don't feel I owe anyone.
"I don't have any problems with him," he added. "I'm sure I will see him throughout the weekend and hopefully speak about normal things."
Fully aware that sections of the media would dearly love to see things develop, especially in a season in which Sebastian Vettel has romped away with the title, the McLaren driver added: "I have an amazing job, so I cannot really complain. Regardless of people writing shit about me, I just keep my head focused on the main thing, which is to try and win races.
"People need to understand that there is not one second you drive around that is the same as the last. There is not one corner that is the same the next lap. You could drop the ball, lock up a wheel, go straight and continue. Or you could drop the ball and it gives you a penalty. I seem to be dropping that particular ball quite often, but it is not always in the same place. It is easy to say you can learn from that one mistake but it is happening in other places."