Hamilton chilled with journos
LEWIS Hamilton smiled, talked and even organised a photograph yesterday as he began his preparations for the United States Grand Prix with a charm offensive at a mandatory pre-race news conference.
The 31-year-old defending three-time world champion, who is 33 points adrift of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg with four races remaining, was on his near-best behaviour two weeks after his infamous Snapchat episode in Japan.
Gone was the abrupt and sulky Suzuka version of Hamilton to be replaced by a man keen to give full answers as he requested that Frenchman Romain Grosjean take a photograph, using his mobile phone, that had Hamilton snapped in front of a room full of journalists.
Asked about blocking reporters from accessing his Twitter account, the Briton said: “I don’t manage every single part of my social media.
“I have a couple of people doing it for me. I don’t have a lot of time to do that. Generally, if you see someone (saying something bad) they just block. It was a blocking spree.”
Wearing glasses and smiling, Hamilton was clearly at home and happy to be back on American soil ahead of the race at the Circuit of the Americas where he clinched his third title last year.
In Japan, the Englishman had said he would prefer to answer questions that were compiled by fans. His wish was realised when a reporter asked a question on behalf of a fan.
Would Hamilton take a sabbatical? “I don’t plan on taking a sabbatical unless it is to stop,” he answered.
The second question, also on behalf of a fan, was about how he would feel if Rosberg wins the drivers’ championship.
“I will take it like a man. I can’t win them all,” he said.
“But I am still in a position with the points available. Anything is possible.”
Hamilton also explained that he had missed a tyre test session last week due to a sore foot caused by running in training.
“It was just induced by running. Unfortunately, my physio said that it just takes time and a lot of stretching,” he said. — AFP