Lewis Hamilton has been forced onto the defensive by the barrage of criticism levelled at him after his performance in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old Briton wasted the chance to extend his championship lead over title rival Felipe Massa at Fuji with another error-strewn race.

He still leads by five points with two races left but admitted: "When you're constantly scrutinised it is difficult.

"I'm only human, and every now and then people make mistakes."

On Sunday, Hamilton lost the lead from pole position on the first corner and then received a drive-through penalty after forcing Kimi Raikkonen off the track in an attempt to regain it.

His botched efforts paved the way for critics to launch renewed attacks on his ability and character and the debate now is whether Hamilton is again starting to crack under the weight of pressure as the title race draws to a close, as he did last year.

Hamilton also raised eyebrows when he accused title rival Massa of deliberately colliding with him on the second lap in Japan and the young Englishman admitted: "It's not easy to always say or do the right thing.

"Recently, there have been lots of different quotes attributed to me.

"Sometimes I've said things that have either come out the wrong way or been taken out of context, so people get a different feeling of what I've said when I haven't expressed myself correctly.

"Communication is so important in life and some of the things I've said were not meant to harm anyone. I don't feel like I've hurt anyone, and my family makes sure that doesn't happen."

Such a comment recently attributed to Hamilton quoted him as saying he felt he was a better driver than his hero Ayrton Senna.

Issuing a categorical denial, Hamilton said: "I never said that and I definitely wouldn't say it about Ayrton because he's my favourite driver.

"I think he's the best driver there ever was and, to this day, I still don't believe anyone would beat him. If I could achieve just a small part of what he's achieved, it would be a dream for me."

And the Briton also believes the perception of some that he is arrogant is wrong, saying: "I would never say I was better than anyone else, but I am a Formula One driver and all of us have to believe in ourselves to get to where we are.

"You have to have that belief to go out and win, and that's what helps you strive for a better performance and to achieve more in your life.

"I look at the other drivers, I just think all these guys are the best and to be the best I have to beat them. That's how every racing driver sees things."

(BBC)

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