"I've tried to prepare the best way I can with a relaxed few days away," says Hamilton as he defends London no-show. "The season is the most important thing for me."
Tuesday 18 July 2017 12:08, UK
Lewis Hamilton has explained why he skipped F1's London street demonstration, saying he took a break to ensure he is "best prepared" for this weekend's British GP amid an "intense" battle for 2017's world title.
Hamilton was criticised by media and fans for not attending the street demonstration on Wednesday evening when all of the grid's other 19 drivers, including Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, were present in central London.
When's the British GP on Sky Sports?
On the back of a Austrian GP in which he lost more ground to Vettel in the chase for the Drivers' Championship, Hamilton flew to Greece with friends for a two-day holiday before heading to Silverstone on Thursday.
And, faced with an inevitable barrage of questions surrounding his absence from F1's London event, he made clear his priority was ensuring he is in top form for the championship battle - while reiterating his "love" of the British fans.
"Obviously I felt that it was the right thing for me to do to be the best prepared I can be for this weekend," Hamilton told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Firstly I heard that it was an amazing event and I take my hat off to the organisers who did such a great job. I love the British fans, I've made no secret of that for many, many years, and hopefully the real fans know when they come here hopefully they've seen I've shown that every year.
"Being as it's such an intense championship I'm really trying to do the right thing to get myself in the best position to be here and perform in the way I have."
WATCH: F1 in London - The best bits
In the Drivers' Press Conference, Hamilton was calm and composed as he added: "I've tried to prepare the best way I can with a relaxed few days away. The season is the most important thing for me."
Hamilton said he told the organisers last week he would not be present, with his Mercedes team "respectful" of his decision.
One report claimed a possible reason behind Hamilton's absence in London was that his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff attended Vettel's 30th birthday party after the Azerbaijan GP, the race in which the two drivers collided in acrimonious circumstances.
But Hamilton was unimpressed when asked about it in the press conference, describing the question as "dumb".
It was left to Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo to take the sting out of the exchange.
"Free alcohol!" the Australian interjected. "It doesn't matter how much money you make, you don't turn down an invitation like that."
Meanwhile, Hamilton does not believe his London no-show will affect his relationship with the British fans: "I've received incredible love from the fans every time I've turned up here for the last 10 years."
How did the other drivers react?
Felipe Massa - "I don't think I'd be able not to go to my country. London is a very important city. If F1 organised such an important event for the fans like that in Brazil and I'm not there in Sao Paolo or any important town, I cannot do that, that's the way I am.
"I think it was just not positive for him. The only one who can lose by not going to these type of events is him."
Daniel Ricciardo - "Obviously the spotlight is on Lewis because he was the only of us who wasn't there. But he has been doing it long enough to know what works for him."
Max Verstappen - "If he wants a holiday, he should take a holiday. If it makes him faster, he should do that. Of course, the fans would have liked to see him there. If I did that in Holland, they would have shot me."
Valtteri Bottas - "I think everyone has the right to decide what events they attend. I don't know his schedule, but for me it's absolutely fine. Even though I was the only team member there it was still all good."
How the papers reacted to Hamilton's no-show
'This is a PR disaster for Hamilton, Mercedes and new owners Liberty Media, who organised the extravaganza to promote the British Grand Prix, which will take place at Silverstone on Sunday.
'Why Hamilton would stay away is almost beyond understanding. He was the only driver of the 20 on the grid not to be in London in front of his home fans.
'It was sad to see him slit his own throat so wantonly in front of the countrymen and women he has represented so brilliantly by his driving' - The Daily Mail
'He would have been the main attraction but chose to go on holiday for two days. It brought a thinly veiled criticism from the Formula One Group. "We invited teams and drivers to join us at F1 Live London and we had a fantastic response from all the teams and 19 of the drivers," the sport's new owner said, disappointed by the no-show.
'Hamilton does not like to be told what to do but choosing to be contradictory to make a point about who is in charge is best not achieved at the expense of the people with whom he would connect - The Guardian
'Lewis Hamilton's name was booed by fans at the Formula One parade in London after his no-show. Instead, the 32-year old is on a bizarre two-day break just before the British Grand Prix.
'Liberty have already expressed their feelings that 19 of the 20 drivers cooperated, and then the fans jeered his name when it was announced by F1 champion, Damon Hill' - The Sun
'This weekend's grand prix will mark ten years since Hamilton made his debut at Silverstone, when he qualified on pole and finished the race third. He has enjoyed huge support there but complained that he cannot get close to the fans, despite crowdsurfing last year.
'These words will feel slightly hollow to many fans and potential supporters, who would have jumped at the chance to see Britain's most successful F1 driver in London. Hamilton had a chance to reach out but, days before his home race, the closest that the public will be able to get to him is on social media' - The Times
'The Ferrari driver got the plaudits - and he may get Hamilton's job if the rumour mill is to be believed. Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes Motorsport and Hamilton's boss, was giving nothing away but he did attend Vettel's 30th birthday bash in Switzerland 10 days ago and more than one pundit believes that Vettel and Mercedes are a German marriage made in heaven.
'Is that why Hamilton stayed away? It seems unlikely but fans will wonder why a driver who claims to adore his supporters could not be bothered to turn up at such a massive event in his own homeland.' - The London Evening Standard
Comment below to get involved in the debate, but please adhere to our House Rules. If you wish to report any comment, simply click on the down arrow next to the offending comment and click 'Report'.
