Hamilton defends his driving style

Saturday 11th October 2008

Lewis Hamilton answered his detractors in the best possible fashion by claming pole in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix and then declared: "I do my talking on the track."

Hamilton surged to the top late in the third qualifying session on the Fuji Speedway circuit with a stunning best lap of one minute 18.404 seconds to finish ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

On Friday, BMW's Robert Kubica, who came through the karting ranks alongside Hamilton, claimed most Formula One drivers believe some of the young Briton's moves are too dangerous.

The Pole deemed moves by Hamilton on Toyota's Timo Glock and Renault's Fernando Alonso at the Italian Grand Prix last month were too much.

But Hamilton, who on Sunday will look to increase his seven-point lead over World Championship rival Felipe Massa, disagreed with Kubica's comments.

"I do my talking on the track," said the 23-year-old.

"One has their own opinions and they have their right to.

"I drive the way I drive because I am passionate. It is my personality and it is what I have always done.

"It has never been a problem before and I don't see why it should be a problem now."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis gave his support to Hamilton and suggested Kubica should concentrate on his own performance in the remaining races.

"I think he should focus on his own driving," he said.

"It is refreshing to have a highly-talented driver that has the ability to overtake and ability to get the pole positions he can.

"His (Kubica) objective should be to raise his own game and do the best job he can and keep his own thoughts and opinions to himself."

Hamilton is hoping for a second consecutive victory at Fuji Speedway following his win in the rain last year.

Despite a damp practice session in the morning conditions progressively became drier for qualifying and Hamilton once again shone on the circuit.

"I think we are in a perfect position to make a step forward and try to score as many points as we can," he added. "It is going to be a tough race.

"We don't know how the weather is going to be but we have to focus on our job and try and score as many points as we can."

The race will be Hamilton's to lose now after Massa could only finish fifth.

The Brazilian had been performing well during the first two sessions of qualifying but found himself with a distinct lack of grip at the crucial moment in the third.

"I never had the right amount of grip from both sets of tyres," Massa said.

"I've ended up fifth on the grid which is definitely not an easy place to be."

Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen completed a pleasing qualifying session for McLaren by securing third place while Singapore Grand Prix winner Alonso will start fourth.

Red Bull's David Coulthard is 11th on the grid while Jenson Button is 18th after a disappointing session in his Honda.

"I have been struggling with the car for the whole weekend and have found it difficult to achieve good balance," said Button.

"It is disappointing but we have to do our best with the package we have."

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