Dennis defends Hamilton's driving

Team boss says Kubica should keep comments to himself

Last updated: 11th October 2008

Dennis: Bold decisions

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McLaren boss Ron Dennis has leapt to the defence of Lewis Hamilton after rival Robert Kubica criticised his protege's aggressive driving style.

The Pole sparked a paddock argument when he told a newspaper that the Championship leader had incurred the wrath of other drivers for his forceful overtaking manoeuvres.

The BMW Sauber driver cited Hamilton's drive in the Italian Grand Prix when he forced Toyota's Timo Glock onto the grass and Red Bull's Mark Webber up an escape road in coming through the field from 15th on the grid to finish 7th.

"What he did was too much and dangerous," Kubica told Bild Zeitung.

"It was a topic (in the drivers' meetings) and most of them had a similar view. But at the end we can only talk. If someone is convinced they're allowed to do it, then we don't have any influence."

Hamilton has declined to be drawn into the spat, but Dennis was rather less restrained in answering Kubica's criticism.

"His objective should be to raise his own performance, do the best he can and keep those comments to himself," he said at the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday.

"It's refreshing to have a highly talented driver who has the ability to overtake and make the bold decisions he has in what is only his second season in Formula One."