Hamilton denies disrespecting F1 legend Schumacher

New triple world champion Lewis Hamilton has denied claims of disrespecting Michael Schumacher, insisting that he is an admirer of the Formula One legend and holds him in the highest regard. Hamilton took to his Instagram account to urge his fans not to believe the story and said that he grew up watching the German from the early days through to his seventh title.

Hamilton said Schumacher was and is the greatest driver of their era and insisted that he was hugely proud and grateful to have met him and spent even the littlest time with.

New triple world champion Lewis Hamilton has denied claims of disrespecting Michael Schumacher, insisting that he is an admirer of the Formula One legend and holds him in the highest regard.

Hamilton took to his Instagram account to urge his fans not to believe the story and said that he grew up watching the German from the early days through to his seventh title, News.com.au reported.

>To all the Michael Schumacher fans, I want you to know how big a fan and admirer of Michaels I am. I grew up watching him from the early days through to his 7th title. He was and is the greatest of our time and I am hugely proud and grateful to have met him and spent even the littlest time with. He was always kind to me. One day at his last race, I managed to find the courage to go see him and ask if he would honour me by swapping helmets in which he so graciously did. Please do not believe all that you read. I would never wish to disrespect him nor his family and I hold them in the highest regard. I keep him in my prayers as a fellow driver wishing for his recovery. Best wishes to you. Lewis #Legend #respect #godbless

A photo posted by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) on Nov 6, 2015 at 12:39pm PST

Hamilton said Schumacher was and is the greatest driver of their era and insisted that he was hugely proud and grateful to have met him and spent even the littlest time with. He added that the seven-time world champion was always kind to him.

The Mercedes driver came under severe criticism from the head of Schumacher’s fan club, Reiner Ferling, when a German tabloid quoted Hamilton as saying that he has never done things which Schumacher had done to win the titles, adding that he won the races by his own ‘natural abilities’.

A livid Ferling responded in a scathing manner saying that the Mercedes driver should first look at Michael’s achievement before judging him.

Schumacher, who has won a record 91 races, has been going through his painfully slow recovery at his Swiss lakeside home after being injured while skiing during a French Alps vacation.

Hamilton said he keeps Schumacher in his prayers as a fellow driver and wished the beleaguered F1 legend for his speedy recovery.