Lewis Hamilton insists he does not need to vindicate his upcoming switch to Ferrari which will be made at the end of the 2024 season.
Lewis Hamilton has hit out at “people continuing to talk shit” about his upcoming move to Ferrari, with the seven-time world champion taking aim at various reports.
Hamilton will link up with the Italian squad next year and bring his long and successful association with Mercedes to an end.
The 39-year-old has slipped back in the pecking order across the last two years with Mercedes struggling to get up to speed with the current generation of car.
Following a disappointing Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton walked out of an interview after being asked if he was jealous of Ferrari’s current performance.
Hamilton has asserted he has zero regrets over choosing to leave Mercedes at the conclusion of the 2024 season and is excited by his upcoming move.
“I don’t feel like I need my decision vindicating,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365. “I think I know what is right for me and that hasn’t changed since the moment that I made the decision.
“There’s not been a moment where I’ve questioned it and I’m not swayed by other people’s comments. Even today, there’s people continuing to talk shit, and it will continue on for the rest of the year.
“And I’ll have to just do what I did in the previous time. Only you can know what’s right for you. And this is exciting, it will be an exciting time for me.”
When pressed for what he meant by people “continuing to talk shit”, Hamilton stated: “Just reports out there.”
‘No stone unturned’
Despite the fact he is leaving Mercedes at the end of this year, Hamilton is continuing to work tirelessly with the Brackley-based outfit to extract the optimum performance from the W15.
With the calendar now consisting of a record-breaking 24 races, the drivers are having to manage their time and energy to a higher degree, with Hamilton pointing out that winning races is not just about who spends the longest time training.
“I think over time you understand how to manage your time and your energy and your recovery,” added Hamilton. “And just realising that every day is a new day and you get up and try your best.
“If you’re someone that’s like, when we’re training as athletes, for example, if you’re like running 40-50 miles a week, if he was to do 100 miles a week doesn’t mean you’re going to win the race.
“So it’s really more about where you put your energy into. It’s the communication with the team, it’s continuing to try to leave no stone unturned. And me personally, it’s something I’m thinking about all the time.“.
