Lewis Hamilton defends his work ethic after public criticism from Ferrari chairman: 'I wake up thinking about driving'

Lewis Hamilton has claimed he needs to 'unplug more' despite comments from Ferrari chairman John Elkann criticising his work ethic.

Hamilton, 41, has endured a tough first season at Ferrari, which was epitomised by his retirement at the Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend.

Following the difficult afternoon in Sao Paulo, in which his team-mate Charles Leclerc was also forced to retire, Elkann told the Scuderia pair that they need to 'focus on driving and talk less', with his team fourth in the constructors' championship.

However, speaking ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hamilton made it clear that he needs to, in fact, do the opposite.

'I wake up thinking about it [driving], and I go to sleep thinking about it, and I think about it when I'm sleeping,' he said. 'If anything, I have to focus on being able to unplug more.

'It's been a really heavy year. It's been the busiest year that I think I've had. I've been at the factory more than I think I was at any other factory before.'

The seven-time world champion admitted that Elkann pre-warned him over the phone that he would be making the comments, and he has not taken them to heart.

'I know where John's intentions are,' he added. 'We speak sometimes several times a week, so we have spoken several times since last week.

'It's all about bringing the team together and we are all really together. We are all deep in it. The passion just runs so deep. But I love that and I can never fault someone for having passion like that.'

The Briton has endured one of the toughest seasons of his career, failing to secure a single podium finish with just three races left on the calendar.

Hamilton sits sixth in the driver's standings, 76 points behind fellow Ferrari driver Leclerc, and speculation has begun to swirl regarding his future in the iconic red car.

But the former Mercedes driver believes that both he and his team will turn the tide during the three-year contract he is committed to.

'There's just been so much to do and so much to learn. It's definitely tough when we're all working for something and then you fall back,' he said.

'It's like we're climbing up a mountain, then you arrive at the weekend and you kind of slip a few steps back or 10 steps back. 

'You have to then get back up and try again the next time.

'I've backed this team 100% and I back myself 100%. I know that when we get things right, it's going to be amazing, and I can't wait for that moment because I'd love to see what you're going to write after that.

'I truly believe that's what's going to happen. I'm just not losing sight of that, even through the difficult days that we've had.'