McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh insists Lewis Hamilton wasn't mentally affected by the criticism of his driving style.
Hamilton was involved in a fierce battle with Michael Schumacher during Sunday's Italian Grand Prix and was forced to settle for fourth place behind race winner Sebastian Vettel and fellow podium finishers Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.
The 26-year-old found himself stuck behind Schumacher for several laps and was at one point forced onto the grass by the German. Hamilton though kept his cool, eventually overtaking him later in the race and he also took the diplomatic route when asked about Schumacher's defensive driving after the race.
Many felt it was a change in approach from the McLaren driver who has often been accused of being too aggressive when trying to overtake a rival.
"I'm glad I finished the race," Hamilton said.
"I showed people I can drive cleanly and not get into trouble even if the guy in front makes it very difficult for me.
"I got by eventually and made it stick, so it was good."
When asked about Hamilton's desire to simply finish races and whether he had been mentally affected by the criticism, Whitmarsh replied: "I don't think so.
"He is a tough cookie who just wants to win. He will very shortly bang in that win and look fantastic.
"It's a shame it wasn't here, so we'll see if he can do it in two weeks' time.
"Here there was a fair amount of provocation and frustration in the race. I think someone (Schumacher) drove him off the circuit pretty aggressively at one point.
"At the first corner he could have stuck in for second and lost a wing. He was calmer than I was at that stage, so congratulations to him on that.
"He is growing and developing, and I'm sure he's going to win more races this year and put some of the other issues further behind him."
