Lewis Hamilton says he is not dwelling on poor Formula 1 season

On the back of fresh scrutiny about his approach to F1 this year, following his clash with Felipe Massa in Singapore, Hamilton reckons there is no single reason to explain why he has struggled to maintain strong form throughout the campaign.

But he says there is little point wasting time dwelling on the reasons for what has happened. Instead, he thinks the key factor for him is ensuring he takes the steps he needs to get back to the front.

When asked by AUTOSPORT whether his current difficulties were just part and parcel of a normal sportsman's career, or evidence that he needed to change his approach, Hamilton said: "I don't have an answer for it. I don't see anyone else having the problems I am having, and also I don't see many people who have achieved what I have achieved.

"Up until 2008 I've won a championship every second year of my career since I was eight years old, so I've done pretty well until now. But I've had a couple of tough years and they are the most trying years - and this has probably been the most trying year, the most testing year, of my career so far.

"It is not about how or what I've done this year, it is about how I rise out of it, and how I rise above it, and how I come out on top at some stage."

He added: "I am not doing anything wrong. It is not my management like everyone is talking about. I am very, very happy with my management. It is one of the best decisions I've made.

"And, I think I have just been unfortunate, I've made some mistakes, and that is it. Jenson has done a good job, but people forget that I am only 17 points away from second, people also forget that all the people behind Sebastian are 100 plus points behind."

The focus on Hamilton's management came after comments from his father Anthony suggesting that XIX Management could be more supportive of his son.

When asked about his father's belief, he said: "I honestly don't know what the situation was. When I spoke to my dad he just said he wanted me to be happy, so I told him I am happy - and he said as long as you are happy I am happy. I think he is just a concerned father, which is normal."

Talking about the negative press around him, Hamilton said: "I don't read any criticisms, but I know everyone here and around the rest of the world is writing stories, or I hear about them... I just live my life. I am happy. I've got great people in my life, I have great management, I have great family and friends, and people that I enjoy being around.

"I have an amazing job, so I cannot really complain. Regardless of people writing shit about me, I will just keep my head focused on the main thing, which is to try and win races."

Hamilton also believes that criticisms he had not learned from his errors this year were misplaced.

"I think they [critics] have the right to have that opinion, but what people need to understand is that there is not one second you drive around that is the same as the last. There is not one corner that is the same the next lap. As time moves on and you go through the race, you are in different position, one lap slightly ahead and one lap slightly behind.

"There are so many things happening, you are juggling them, and particularly when you are overtaking sometimes you drop one of them and there is nothing you can do about it.

"You could drop that ball, lock up a wheel go straight and continue. Or you could drop the ball and it gives you a penalty. I seem to be dropping that particular ball quite often, but it is not always in the same place. It is easy to say you can learn from that one mistake but it is happening in other places, so I have to try my hardest."

Hamilton also said he had no intention of clearing the air with Massa over what happened in the Singapore GP and about their confrontation afterwards.

"I don't really have anything to say about it. I am focusing on this weekend and it is a shame that we are still talking about the previous race, but that is the way it goes. For me, I am focusing on having a good weekend. I am over it, it is in the past. I had my penalty so I don't feel I owe anyone.

"I don't think we have anything to say. I had my penalty. I don't think we have anything else to discuss. I don't have any problems with him. I am sure I will see him throughout the weekend and hopefully speak about normal things."