'Tattoo lover' Hamilton defends Merc car number '44' inked behind right year

Former Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has defended having '44', the number on his Mercedes car, tattooed behind his right ear, but has also admitted that his father Anthony is not too keen on the body art that also includes a big tattoo on his back.

However, Hamilton did not reveal details of what his girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger thinks. He said that his dad doesn't approve of the tattoos, but added that he doesn't need approval.

He said that he is comfortable with who he is, adding that he doesn't need someone telling him, Sport24 reported.

Hamilton said that if someone doesn't accept him for who he is, that is their problem, adding that one needs to be proud of who one is.

Hamilton has won the last four races and goes into Sunday's United States Grand Prix seeking his fifth consecutive win and his 10th this year to widen his 17-point lead over Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg in the title race, the report added.