Despite recent tax allegations against him, four-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton insists that he will not be distracted heading into this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
According to the Paradise Papers, four-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, 32, reportedly avoided paying value-added tax on his £16.5 million (≈$21.6 million) private jet. He was evidently issued a £3.3 million (≈$4.3 million) value-added tax refund after his newly purchased Bombardier Challenger 605 was imported into the Isle of Man in 2013.
However, while these allegations have just arisen now with two races left in the 2017 Formula One season, including this Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton does not plan to let them get in the way even though he did already secure his fourth career Formula One championship over one week ago in the Mexican Grand Prix to tie him for 3rd on the all-time titles list.
Hamilton insists that he will not be distracted from his core values and that his sole focus right now in on winning this weekend’s race even though he did already clinch his fourth career title at the end of October.
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After all, a win this weekend will give Hamilton 10 victories this season, thus giving him four straight seasons of double-digit wins, something no other driver has ever even been able to do two consecutive Formula One seasons.
Plus, Hamilton, who has won 62 races in his Formula One career, is still pursuing the all-time Formula One wins record, which is currently held by Michael Schumacher, who won 91 races. Schumacher is the only driver who Hamilton trails on the all-time wins list, but every opportunity to win counts, including at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, especially since Hamilton still trails him by 29 wins, a win total recorded by just five other drivers in Formula One history not named Schumacher or Hamilton.
Here is what Hamilton had to say about not being distracted from racing in this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
"“Obviously right now there is a bit of a storm surrounding me. There are many different stories around, but I don’t have anything to add to the whole scenario that has happened. It doesn’t distract me from my core values, and also what I am here to do which is to try and win the Brazilian Grand Prix for a second time in my life.”“I come here with this greatest feeling, amazing energy, and want to absorb that positive energy and try to shine my light as bright as I can here in Brazil. I have had this huge wave of positive energy and nothing can really dent that. I carry that here, and I am solely focused on trying to win the race this weekend.”"
Next: Looking back at Lewis Hamilton's record-setting accomplishment
Will Lewis Hamilton end up being distracted this weekend for the Brazilian Grand Prix, and if so, will it show in his driving and perhaps prevent him from winning his 10th race of the 2017 Formula One season, putting more pressure on him to do so in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the season finale on Sunday, November 26th? According to him, that is doubtful, but be sure to tune in to NBC Sports Network at 11:00 AM ET on Sunday, November 12th for the race to find out.