
Mclaren8217;s Lewis Hamilton promised on Thursday to stay squeaky clean for the rest of the Formula One season after being stripped of victory in Belgium last weekend.
The championship leader, punished by stewards in Spa for cutting a chicane while duelling with Ferrari8217;s Kimi Raikkonen, arrived at the Italian Grand Prix in fighting form. The Briton said he looked forward to beating Ferrari in their own backyard at Monza, played down the challenge of Brazilian title rival Felipe Massa and even questioned world champion Raikkonen8217;s bravery.
8216;Feels like a win8217;
8220;Everyone in the team feels like we won the race in Belgium on moral grounds,8221; the 23-year-old said. 8220;We just have to try our best to stay squeaky clean and stay out of trouble,8221; added the driver.
Hamilton said Massa was the one on the back foot. 8220;He is the one who has to work damn hard to keep up with me,8221; he said. 8220;I feel like I8217;m coming here off a win, and moving onto the next race.8221;
The Briton was dismissive of a suggestion that Raikkonen was struggling for grip at Spa, preventing him from fully regaining his lead on the straight after the chicane and forcing him to brake earlier into the first corner of the penultimate lap where Hamilton went back in front. 8220;That8217;s his driving. That8217;s the way he drives. If you don8217;t have the balls to brake late, that8217;s your problem,8221; said Hamilton.
Hamilton defended his spirited approach to racing, saying he would continue to try to overtake and entertain whenever possible. 8220;I8217;m a racer, I do the best job I can on the track and I race my heart off,8221; he said.