Daredevil Lewis Hamilton in awe of Senna

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You know it’s not your day when you clip your fiercest rival’s rear wheel and totter back to the pits with a ruptured front wing and a penalty.

But to fight back from the bottom of the grid to fifth place is a steely display of the grit and determination that makes Lewis Hamilton Formula One’s most aggressive and attacking driver.

However, when not behind the wheel, Hamilton’s million-dollar smile takes centrestage. Talking about his ill-fated collision with Ferrari ace Felipe Massa during the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, the British whiz nonchalantly admitted that such incidents do happen and that he still had a lot of respect for the Brazilian.

“Singapore was a bit of a disaster really. It was one of the races to learn from. As far as it (the collision) is concerned, there’s not really much to say about it you know. Obviously we had a coming together in the race.

“Afterwards he was a bit angry... he was a bit forceful at the end. But I just ignored it and moved on. This is the most competitive sport in the world. And there are going to be instances like this. I have a lot of respect for Felipe still, regardless of how he has behaved,” Hamilton said.

Excerpts:

Your target for the remaining season: I think for me now it’s just to find my ground and improve my results. Jensen (Button) is doing a great job. He’s been a great team-mate and has done well throughout the season. On several occasions, I have been in the wrong places at the wrong time but I have taken it in my stride rather than giving up.

On his rags to riches tale: My parents are West Indians and we lived in a one-bedroom flat in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. I used to spend my weekends with my dad and once he bought me a really old, rusty go-karting car on my eighth birthday.

It was just terrible but he recreated it with some stickers and encouraged me to take part in a couple of local races. We were one of the poorest families at the karting circuit but we went on to defeat many people. And now I’m here. It was the most amazing feeling for us and still is an inspiration.

On his biggest inspiration: For me it will always be Ayrton Senna. As a kid I was drawn to him and he inspired me. Gilles Villeneuve was an incredible driver but Senna’s fire, his passion and his persona — the way people received him — was always brilliant. And of course his driving style is something that I am trying to emulate.

On McLaren as family: I have been with McLaren for 14 years now. There is no obligation to stay, McLaren is my family. They’ve given me massive support and never looked down on me even when I have had bad results. We win and lose together.

On partnering Sebastian Vettel in future: I don’t think so. I will race against whoever I have to race to be the best.