DANIELLA MATAR
Associated Press
MONZA, Italy (AP) — Lewis Hamilton is looking to move on and focus on collecting points at the Italian Grand Prix.
The tension between Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg ratcheted up at the Belgium Grand Prix when Rosberg crashed into Hamilton on the second lap of the race, effectively ending his hopes of victory.
Hamilton sustained a puncture to his tire and had to soon retire. Rosberg finished second, increasing his lead over his teammate to 29 points.
“It’s not in my mind,” Hamilton said Thursday. “I’m really excited about moving forwards, really energetic. I’m excited to be here, this is one of my favorite circuits. I hope that we can have a good weekend.
“What was in the past is in the past, it is what it is. There are still a lot of points available and that’s what I’m focusing on.”
After the incident in Spa, Hamilton claimed Rosberg had admitted to deliberately driving into him.
“Trust is a big word and that’s not really something I would particularly apply to racing on the track,” Hamilton said. “Nico and I have been racing for a long time and we set a good foundation a long time ago so that’s what we work from.”
Rosberg was disciplined by Mercedes last week after accepting responsibility for the collision.
“We took the week to think about it and look at it and in the end decided it was me who should take responsibility,” Rosberg said. “I was not proud of the way it went because in general I really want to contribute to my sport because I want it to be most entertaining sport in the world.
“No one could have made me apologize. It definitely was a decision that came from me after hearing people’s opinion and watching it again. I felt it was something I should do.”
Rosberg was booed when he stood on the podium in Spa.
“It was not a nice feeling to hear boos towards me,” the German said. “I understand though, they travel a long way some of them to watch an exciting race, a battle between Lewis and I, and they didn’t get that.”
While most of the attention will be focused on the rivalry between the Mercedes duo, the passionate home fans will once again be vocally backing Ferrari.
The Italian team has not won its home race since two-time champion Fernando Alonso was triumphant in 2010. The Spaniard has finished on the podium every year since and was runner-up last year.
“It is one of the most important races for us in the year, in front of our fans, and we would like to give them result,” said Alonso, who also won at Monza in 2007 while driving for McLaren. “I’ve been on the podium the last few years so hopefully I can repeat that.”
Ferrari’s only podium places this season has been Alonso’s second in Hungary and his third in China.
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