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Hamilton 'absolutely' doesn't regret Mercedes move

ESPN Staff
November 15, 2012 « Button expects 2013 car to suit him | Alonso believes he can still take the title »
Lewis Hamilton: "These last few races are going to be tough, but I'm really happy that I've got a new challenge ahead of me" © Sutton Images
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Lewis Hamilton has dismissed Martin Whitmarsh's claim that he may have had regrets over signing for Mercedes.

Whitmarsh said that he suspects Hamilton will have regretted the decision since deciding to leave McLaren at the end of the season, as he leaves for a team that has won just one race in the last three years. Hamilton, however, admitted he hadn't expected the comments to come from his current team principal and said he is "very, very happy" with his impending move.

"I was a little bit surprised to hear that, it clearly is absolutely not the case," Hamilton said. "But I've got a great team and I've been with them for such a long time. So I'm sure everyone has emotions within the team, but I'm still here giving 100% to them for the last two races. Of course it's quite emotional for me but I'm very, very happy with the decision that I've made.

"I don't have an ounce of regret, so that's incorrect. But what I do have is a huge amount of love for the team, so leaving is always a tough decision. These last few races are going to be tough, but I'm really happy that I've got a new challenge ahead of me. I've got to learn, get to grips with and build new relationships with people. Everyone does that in life, I don't know why I can't do that, but I don't have any doubts or regrets about it."

Asked how it feels watching two drivers each go for their third championship, Hamilton praised both Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso but said his focus was to battle with them for victory this weekend.

"I think it goes without saying that these two are obviously two of the best here. What they've achieved is absolutely incredible and all us other drivers are trying our hardest to aspire to do the same. They're both incredibly professional and it's amazing to see how focused they are considering how much pressure there is on the both of them but they're both world champions, they handle it no problem.

"As for me; it is what it is. I'm happy just to be here fighting. I've got two last races in my team and just want to do the best job and try and see if we can still fight with them even though we're not fighting for the championship."

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