JUNE 16, 2011

Ecclestone defends Hamilton

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says that F1 pundits are wrong to criticise Lewis Hamilton for his racer's instinct.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says that F1 pundits are wrong to criticise Lewis Hamilton for his racer's instinct.

Hamilton has attracted some high profile knockers after his performances in Monaco and Canada. Three times world champion Niki Lauda, one of Ecclestone's inner circle, said that Hamilton's driving in Canada was 'totally mad' and that action needs to be taken 'before he kills someone.'

In successive races Hamilton has attempted ill-judged moves on Felipe Massa, Pastor Maldonado, Mark Webber and team mate Jenson Button.

Ecclestone, however, said: "What we want is people racing, and all the people who watch it want that. If you analyse what's been happening and how other drivers have been performing, Lewis shows up very well, and so do Sebastian (Vettel) and Jenson (Button). So let him race. That's what people like him do. I was very, very good friends with [Ayrton] Senna, and if you look at what he did, he was a racer too, and people had to move over for him.

"Perhaps Lewis has made one or two questionable moves, but so have many of the others, and nobody bothers to look what's happening further down the field. It's always been like this. We saw a lot of people racing in Canada and Jenson did a super job. That's what the fans want to see."