Formula One news

Hamilton not quitting, says McLaren

McLaren denies that Lewis Hamilton has considered leaving the team following the recent 'lying' controversy, principally involving the World Champion and team manager Dave Ryan. The latter has been suspended by team principal Martin Whitmarsh, having been accused of providing race stewards with 'deliberately misleading information' after last weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

The situation has gradually unfolded since Hamilton was involved in a confusing situation with Jarno Trulli in Australia, as the McLaren - under instruction from the team - yielded to the Toyota under safety car conditions; Hamilton reported his version of events to reporters immediately after climbing out of his car, before being instructed by Ryan to explain otherwise to the stewards.

With the team disqualified, Ryan suspended and Hamilton giving an emotional public apology in Malaysia on Friday, Whitmarsh is confident that his driver and the current World Champion has not considered leaving the team. "The first I knew of it was this morning," Whitmarsh said. "We asked Anthony (Hamilton, father and manager of Lewis) if it is true, and he told us that Lewis has not spoken to Max (Mosley). According to Britain's The Times, however, Hamilton reportedly contacted the FIA president with regards to the issue. "On Friday morning both Anthony and I spoke to Max, but I am told that Lewis has not," Whitmarsh continued.

"I have read some stories this morning and have obviously spoken to Lewis and Anthony on quite a few occasions; in all of those conversations, the commitment from Lewis and Anthony to this team has not altered - there has been no hint of what is reported," the team principal stressed. "At the moment, I don't believe what has been reported. What we do know is that we've got to learn from the mistakes that have been made - I've got to learn too, as I have also made mistakes."

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