Mercedes driver says that he faced tough times after his split with Nicole Scherzinger to stay focussed on his career
Lewis Hamilton and ex-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger
Silverstone: Lewis Hamilton has revealed he was determined not to allow his high-profile split from Nicole Scherzinger to scupper his chances of becoming the first British driver to win back-to-back Formula One World Championships.
Lewis Hamilton and ex-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger. Pic/Getty Images
Hamilton ended his long-term relationship with the American pop star ahead of the new season, and it was feared the 30-year-old's off-track battles would disrupt the defence of his title.
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But the reigning champion heads into Sunday's British Grand Prix holding a 10-point lead over Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg. He has started from pole at seven of the eight races and led a greater number of laps than any other driver this term.
Should Hamilton complete one more front-running lap at Silverstone on Sunday, he will surpass Sir Jackie Stewart's 45-year record of leading 17 consecutive Grand Prixs.
"I don't really know how I've done it," revealed a reflective Hamilton prior to his home race.
Determined to win
"It's not that it's been easy. It was very, very tough in that period of time and I think I've just tried to keep my head down. I was just determined not to let it get in the way of what I'm here to do, which is win races and championships.
"I understood the opportunity that was ahead of me and I just did everything that I could to stay on it. It's been wobbly, but I'm grateful that I've stayed on course."
Hamilton, who turned 30 at the beginning of the year, appears to be more comfortable in his own skin than in previous seasons.
The way he conducted himself after the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this term was in stark contrast to his response here 12 months ago, when he cut a surly figure after qualifying only sixth following a driver error.
"I think still today people don't fully understand me," Hamilton added.
"Muhammad Ali would not have told you that he was happy coming second, or losing. I don't think anyone at the top of their game would ever say that. Some people take it worse than others."
Hamilton was on course to claim his first victory in Monaco since 2008, but was inexplicably called into the pits for a fresh set of tyres in the closing stages. He lost the lead and finished third.
On the slow-down lap, Hamilton stopped at Portier. His idol Ayrton Senna famously threw away a race win at the same point in 1988 before leaping out of his McLaren and storming back to his nearby apartment.
Stay composed
"I don't know why I stopped, but I know I stopped and drove very slowly afterwards just to gather my thoughts," Hamilton added.
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