JOIN USBritish driver Lewis Hamilton on Sunday dismissed reports of his leaving Formula One team McLaren and joining some other team for the next season as “rubbish” and said he was currently focused on regaining his World Championship title after five years.
“I have not signed up with anyone. I don’t have a timeline (to sign a new contract). I have to get that (contract) sorted out. People are doing this in the background. Lot of stories are written about it, lot of speculations... Don’t get distracted by this rubbish. I am 100 per cent focused on the World Championship,” said the 27-year-old McLaren driver here.
He was interacting with the Indian media ahead of the Vodafone Speed Fest at the Bandra Kurla Complex.
“At present, winning the World Championship is my target,” said the 2008 champion, who is currently lying second, 37 points behind leader Fernando Alonso of Spain in the 20-race championship.
Reports in the United Kingdom have said that McLaren have already set their sights on Mexican Sergio Perez, of Sauber, to sign him up for next season in place of Hamilton, who, having won three races this season, is negotiating a 60-million pound offer from Mercedes.
Hamilton, who has won 20 GP races in his career, said McLaren, with team-mate and fellow-Briton Jenson Button (sixth position currently), was in a strong position in the championship and would get better in the season ahead.
“We could have done better in Barcelona, But we learn from experience. We are in a strong position and will only get stronger.”