Hamilton pleased to be able to address his fans directly on social media; World champion outlines his hectic schedule either side of Mexican GP but says he wouldn't have missed Brazil "for the world"
Friday 13 November 2015 12:08, UK
Lewis Hamilton says he felt it was his responsibility to tell his fans about his car accident in Monaco via social media.
Amid the usual welter of commentary about his celebrity-clad private life, Hamilton has found himself on the front and back pages this week after revealing that his late arrival for this weekend's Brazilian GP was triggered by a road-traffic accident in Monaco on Monday night.
"Social media is the best. I've got an unbelievable following, the Team LH fans," Hamilton told Sky Sports News HQ.
"It's the best way to communicate with them. As I said, we have a responsibility as adults and individuals to confront those responsibilities and it's the best way to be able to communicate with them."
Although Mercedes had already made public the fact Hamilton had delayed his flight to Sao Paulo by a day due to illness, it was the world champion himself who divulged information of the incident on his Instagram account.
According to reports, Hamilton was driving his '£1.5m Pagani Zonda supercar' when the accident occurred at around 3am on Tuesday.
Journalists were barred from asking questions about the accident during his press briefing at Interlagos on Thursday, but the F1 world champion admitted that his recent hectic schedule had taken its toll.
"Basically, I'd gone to Mexico on the Wednesday, we worked all day Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. And then I had my mum's party [in London] and that killed me," he said.
"That was pretty amazing, but I really felt it on Sunday and Monday."
Hamilton is by far the most popular F1 driver on social media, as outlined in a Sky Sports survey during the summer. The 30-year-old now has a combined reach of 8.5m on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Having been struck down by fever, the Briton says he is now feeling "a lot closer to 100 per cent" as he goes in search for a first win at the Brazilian GP - the home of his hero Ayrton Senna.
"I've just been travelling a crazy amount," he told SSNHQ. "I'm excited for this weekend. I'm here - I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Although Hamilton wrapped up his third world title three weeks ago in Austin, and already has 10 race wins to his name this season, he admits an 11th success of the year at Interlagos would be extra special.
"It would be my 44th [his car number] and it's the Brazilian Grand Prix," he added. "It's the one that Ayrton struggled at for so many years, it took him a long, long time to get it, so it would be really special if I was able to do it."
To do that, Hamilton will have to beat team-mate and rival Nico Rosberg, who won in Brazil last year and is chasing his second straight victory this weekend.
Aside from the matter at hand, though, Rosberg says he won't be accepting a lift from his Monaco near neighbour anytime soon. "I'd prefer to walk," the German deadpanned to Sky Sports News HQ on Thursday.
Watch the Brazilian GP live on Sky Sports F1. Race-show coverage begins at 2.30pm on Sunday with lights out at 4pm. Watch all three days of the Brazilian GP for £10.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
