Lewis Hamilton has responded to the hostile atmosphere he received from the Ferrari Tifosi at the Italian Grand Prix, insisting it only made him stronger.
As you’d expect when fighting against the Scuderia at Monza, the Briton was welcomed by a chorus of boos both after qualifying and on the podium, after beating Kimi Raikkonen to victory.
While such a reception is not typically expected in Formula 1, given the unique circumstances, the world champion wasn’t too bothered by the whole situation.
“There was a lot of negativity, as there is when you’re against an opposing team,” Hamilton said.
“But I could see so many British flags out there, they know who they are and they inspired me so much for this race. That is what I was driving for.
“In future, the negative thing is only a positive thing for me because I harness it and turn it from a negative to a positive.”
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Despite the booing, the now five-time Monza winner took time to celebrate with the fans, including a little crowd-surfing and tried to adhere himself to those that had flocked to the ‘Temple of Speed’.
“Firstly, I want to give it up to Ferrari, who put up a great challenge this weekend,” he said. “They really did an amazing job and they have given us such a great fight.
“Secondly I just wanna say thank you to the [Mercedes] guys and everyone back home. Without their support, without their continued efforts, this wouldn’t be possible today.”
One former Ferrari figure that didn’t appreciate the actions of the Tifosi though was former chairman Luca di Montezemolo.
“Lewis is a fantastic champion, has always been very correct, and he made a fantastic race. Full stop,” the Italian told the BBC. “What happened was very, very bad and I am really upset.”
The 71-year-old conceded he thought the manner of Hamilton’s win, after using Valtteri Bottas as a block, had contributed to the Ferrari fans anger.
“I can tell you we won a few championships [this way] when I was the chairman and CEO – with Kimi and Felipe Massa, with Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher, with Michael and Eddie Irvine,” he said.
“So this is part of the history and Bottas did not make anything incorrect or a foul. He made his race.
“When I have heard somebody make criticism… This is normal. In life, it is difficult to win, but it is more difficult to accept when you don’t win. So, yesterday I was not happy for what I have seen, from the public.
“Mercedes made its job. If I was in charge of Ferrari in the same condition as Mercedes, I would make exactly the same choice. So, finito.”
