|
 Sunday's showcase race could see the Mercedes driver beaten by team
mate and title rival Nico Rosberg for the third year in a row in the
Mediterranean principality and he says he is prepared for that to
happen.
"If he gets that (race win) he gets that. I want to win the
championship, ultimately," Hamilton told British reporters, with
Saturday's qualifying likely to decide the outcome of the race just
as it has for the past six years.
"This is just another race that adds to the bigger picture. It's not
the be-all and end-all, this weekend. Your life doesn't start or end
this weekend.
"It's great if you can have it, an accomplishment an experience, but
get the points. Naturally I do want to win. But I want to win the
world championship way more than I want to win this race," added the
30-year-old.
Hamilton, a winner in 2008 in Monaco on the way to his first title
with McLaren, is the last driver to triumph on the street circuit
without starting on pole.
That at least will give some confidence, despite the statistical
evidence against him, if Rosberg chalks up his second successive
pole after beating him in qualifying in Spain two weeks ago.
"I've not won here since 2008 and 2008 wasn't a spectacular weekend
in terms of how quick I was," he said. "It's my third year (with
Mercedes) where we potentially should have the car to win here.
"Nico's won the last two so I've got to make some changes."
The champion, winner of three of the first four races and now 20
points clear of Rosberg after five of 19, said he just had not been
quick enough at the Circuit de Catalunya.
[to top of second column] |
He dismissed a suggestion by 1996 world champion and compatriot
Damon Hill that his jet-setting lifestyle, with time in America
after Bahrain, might have contributed.
"It wasn't because I'd been traveling or anything like that. Nico
was just quick that weekend," said Hamilton.
"I feel solid, I feel fresh, I know the importance of being on the
time zone here. Last year I overslept. People are going to have
opinions about so many different things...I just do me. Like it,
love it or leave it."
(Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
