Whitmarsh: Hamilton never considered quitting F1

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has denied that Lewis Hamilton had to be talked out of quitting the team and Formula One by FIA president Max Mosley.

According to a report this morning, the world champion, who is currently leading the Malaysian Grand Prix, was prepared to walk away from the sport over the controversy surrounding his evidence given to the Australian Grand Prix race stewards in Melbourne last week.

It was suggested that Hamilton had contacted Mosley as the furore blew up, expressing frustration that he had been led by McLaren into falsely telling the stewards he had not been instructed to allow Jarno Trulli past during a safety car period late in the race.

Hamilton was reportedly so disenchanted by the incident, which resulted in his exclusion from the race after he had battled back from 18th on the grid to a top-four finish, that he was considering leaving the team and the sport but was advised by Mosley not to do so.

However, when quizzed about the report during a press conference ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang today, Whitmarsh, having earlier spoken to Hamilton's manager and father Anthony, insisted quitting was never on the cards.