Hamilton worked to win rivals’ respect

(GMM) Lewis Hamilton has admitted that his opening two years in the sport left relationships with his F1 rivals in tatters.

As his ultimately successful title bid drew to a close last year, straw polls among his competitors showed little support for the 24-year-old Briton, following his two seasons at the wheel of a race-winning McLaren.

Interviews with the British media reveal that world champion Hamilton accepts he was partly to blame for the negativity.

"I just kept myself to myself when we went to drivers' briefings and I think they took that as a sign of disrespect, but I never meant that.

"I've worked hard this year to try and rebuild those relationships and I think it's better now.

"I think they do respect me more but maybe because I'm not winning!" Hamilton added.