Hamilton, meanwhile, appeared unperturbed by the opinions, claiming that they were the views of rivals unhappy at having to chase his McLaren.

“I don't care what the other guys think," he told a media gathering in Japan, “I look at magazines less, I look at websites less, I'm never at my computers and I [rarely] read my e-mails. I just try to avoid [the stories].

"I'm here doing my own job, I represent my team, myself, my family, my country - and I do it the best way I can. At the end of the day, there are always going to be people you are beating who aren't particularly happy about things. But that's motor racing.

"I know that my fans have been with me for ages, and I have no doubt that they are supporting me. I am trying not to focus on [the criticism] until I have got the job done. Then I'll think about all that.

"You should race. I don't really understand what he (Kubica) is saying. It doesn't appeal to me."