Lewis Hamilton "would never want" to win F1 title via Ayrton Senna-style tactics

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen crash at Monza — Photo: © LAT Images

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Hamilton "would never want" to win F1 title via Senna-style tactics

Hamilton trails Verstappen by 12 points in the drivers' standings

Ian Parkes & Sam Hall

Thursday 4 November 2021 22:00 Updated: 22:13

Lewis Hamilton has categorically denied he would cause a Senna-Prost repeat to secure a record-breaking eighth F1 title this season.

Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost infamously collided on two occasions that determined the destiny of the championship in 1989 and 1990.

On the second occasion, Senna targeted an ever-decreasing gap at turn one at Suzuka, tagging the rear of Prost's Ferrari and sending the two spearing into the gravel.

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In a recent interview, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff claimed that should the title fight between Hamilton and Max Verstappen go the distance then "Whoever is in front [on points] is absolutely going to try to do the same as in the Senna-Prost years".

Conceding he had not read the quotes, Hamilton dismissed that Wolff would make such a claim and stated outright his desire to win "the right way".

“Firstly, I haven’t read what Toto has said but I highly doubt he would insinuate that would ever be the case," said Hamilton.

"We have never won a championship in that way, I have never won a championship in that way and I would never want to.

“From my perspective and point of view, I am here to win and in the right way and that is through sheer skill, determination and hard work.”

Asked if he held any fears that championship leader Verstappen may not share his ethic, Hamilton stopped short of giving a definitive answer.

“We have been racing hard all year, it is what motor racing is all about and it is the reason it has been the most exciting season since God knows when," added Hamilton.

"That is why we also have more fans watching than ever.

“People are going to have opinions, whether they know what they’re talking about or whatever, and just going back to it, you know how I have won my championships in the past.

“I always want to win it the right way and if you’re going to lose it, you lose it in the right way also, with dignity and knowing that you have given it your all and done things the right way."