Lewis Hamilton stays silent on Paradise Papers allegations

Lewis Hamilton addresses the media in Sao Paulo ahead of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton addresses the media in Sao Paulo ahead of Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix

Clive Mason/Getty Images South America/Getty Images

CNN —

Lewis Hamilton has barely had time to bask in the glow of winning his fourth Formula One world title following the recent scrutiny over his tax affairs.

But the Briton brushed aside talk about his financial arrangements ahead of Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix, preferring to focus on the track.

“My team released a statement and I don’t have anything else to add to that,” Hamilton told reporters in Sao Paulo on Thursday.

“I’m planning to keep the pressure exactly the same as it’s been generally all year … my mentality coming into this weekend is to try and win.”

READ: Ferrari warn they could quit F1

A statement issued by one of Hamilton’s representatives earlier this week refuted the allegations, saying that the F1 driver’s tax arrangements were “above board.”

“As a global sportsman who pays tax in a large number of countries, Lewis relies upon a team of professional advisers who manage his affairs,” the statement said.

“Those advisers have assured Lewis that everything is above board and the matter is now in the hands of his lawyers.”

Lewis Hamilton (left) and Sebastian Vettel have been battling on track all season. Click through the gallery to see how the 2017 Formula One season has played out.

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Vettel vs. Hamilton —

Lewis Hamilton (left) and Sebastian Vettel have been battling on track all season. Click through the gallery to see how the 2017 Formula One season has played out.

The German took the checkered flag at the season opener in Melbourne leaving Hamilton and the Briton's new Mercedes teammate -- Valtteri Bottas -- trailing in his wake.<br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 1</strong> <br />Vettel 25 points<br />Hamilton 18 points<br />Bottas 15 points<br />

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Melbourne: First blood to Vettel —

The German took the checkered flag at the season opener in Melbourne leaving Hamilton and the Briton's new Mercedes teammate -- Valtteri Bottas -- trailing in his wake.

Drivers' title race after round 1
Vettel 25 points
Hamilton 18 points
Bottas 15 points

Hamilton pats his Mercedes car after it propelled him to victory at the Shanghai International Circuit. It was his fifth career win in China and saw the Briton draw level on points with Vettel who came home second. Red Bull's Max Verstappen was third. <br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 2</strong><br />Vettel 43 points<br />Hamilton 43 points<br />Bottas 23 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Shanghai: Hamilton fights back —

Hamilton pats his Mercedes car after it propelled him to victory at the Shanghai International Circuit. It was his fifth career win in China and saw the Briton draw level on points with Vettel who came home second. Red Bull's Max Verstappen was third.

Drivers' title race after round 2
Vettel 43 points
Hamilton 43 points
Bottas 23 points

Vettel prevailed in Bahrain after Bottas had claimed a maiden pole in qualifying. During the race Hamilton was handed a five-second stop-go penalty for holding up Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo in the pit lane. Vettel took full advantage eventually cruising to a comfortable win. <br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 3</strong> <br />Vettel 68 points<br />Hamilton 61 points<br />Bottas 38 points<br />

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Sakhir: Vettel shines under the lights —

Vettel prevailed in Bahrain after Bottas had claimed a maiden pole in qualifying. During the race Hamilton was handed a five-second stop-go penalty for holding up Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo in the pit lane. Vettel took full advantage eventually cruising to a comfortable win.

Drivers' title race after round 3
Vettel 68 points
Hamilton 61 points
Bottas 38 points

After claiming a first-ever pole in Bahrain, Bottas (far right) soared to a maiden F1 victory at the Russian Grand Prix. A fast start enabled the Finn to overtake the two Ferraris at the front of the grid. Vettel chased Bottas hard all the way to the line to claim second. Hamilton finished fourth. <br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 4</strong> <br />Vettel 86 points<br />Hamilton 73 points<br />Bottas 63 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Sochi: Bottas scores maiden win —

After claiming a first-ever pole in Bahrain, Bottas (far right) soared to a maiden F1 victory at the Russian Grand Prix. A fast start enabled the Finn to overtake the two Ferraris at the front of the grid. Vettel chased Bottas hard all the way to the line to claim second. Hamilton finished fourth.

Drivers' title race after round 4
Vettel 86 points
Hamilton 73 points
Bottas 63 points

After missing out on a podium in Russia, Hamilton roared back to the top step at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Briton was overtaken by Vettel at the start but Hamilton fought back, dramatically overtaking his title rival later in the race to take the checkered flag. Red Bull's Ricciardo took third -- his first podium of the season after Bottas suffered an engine failure.<br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 5</strong><br />Vettel 104 points<br />Hamilton 98 points<br />Bottas 63 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Barcelona: Hamilton reigns in Spain —

After missing out on a podium in Russia, Hamilton roared back to the top step at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Briton was overtaken by Vettel at the start but Hamilton fought back, dramatically overtaking his title rival later in the race to take the checkered flag. Red Bull's Ricciardo took third -- his first podium of the season after Bottas suffered an engine failure.

Drivers' title race after round 5
Vettel 104 points
Hamilton 98 points
Bottas 63 points

Vettel's teammate Kimi Raikkonen claimed his first pole in nine years at Saturday's qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix but it was the German who prevailed in the race after the Finn had led in the early stages. Vettel assumed the lead after pitting slightly later than the Finn and never looked back. Ricciardo finished third with Bottas fourth. Hamilton, meanwhile, who had started 13th on the grid, finished the race in sixth.<br /> <br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 6</strong><br />Vettel 129 points<br />Hamilton 104 points<br />Bottas 75 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Monte Carlo: Vettel takes third win of season —

Vettel's teammate Kimi Raikkonen claimed his first pole in nine years at Saturday's qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix but it was the German who prevailed in the race after the Finn had led in the early stages. Vettel assumed the lead after pitting slightly later than the Finn and never looked back. Ricciardo finished third with Bottas fourth. Hamilton, meanwhile, who had started 13th on the grid, finished the race in sixth.

Drivers' title race after round 6
Vettel 129 points
Hamilton 104 points
Bottas 75 points

After a disappointing showing at Monaco, Hamilton produced a driving masterclass in Montreal. In qualifying, he took his 65th career pole -- equaling Ayrton Senna's mark -- before bossing the race, crossing the line 20 seconds ahead of teammate Bottas while Ricciardo pipped Vettel to third. <br /> <br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 7</strong><br />Vettel 141 points<br />Hamilton 129 points<br />Bottas 93 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

Clive Mason/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Montreal: Hamilton cuts Vettel's lead —

After a disappointing showing at Monaco, Hamilton produced a driving masterclass in Montreal. In qualifying, he took his 65th career pole -- equaling Ayrton Senna's mark -- before bossing the race, crossing the line 20 seconds ahead of teammate Bottas while Ricciardo pipped Vettel to third.

Drivers' title race after round 7
Vettel 141 points
Hamilton 129 points
Bottas 93 points

A chaotic race in Azerbaijan saw both Vettel and Hamilton miss the podium for the first time in 2017. The pair clashed on track during a Safety Car period from which Ricciardo ultimately profited. The Aussie's unlikely win was the fifth of his career, while Williams' teenager driver Lance Stroll (right) took third to become the youngest F1 rookie ever to make the podium.<br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 8</strong><br />Vettel 153 points<br />Hamilton 139 points<br />Bottas 111 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Baku: Stroll makes history as title rivals clash —

A chaotic race in Azerbaijan saw both Vettel and Hamilton miss the podium for the first time in 2017. The pair clashed on track during a Safety Car period from which Ricciardo ultimately profited. The Aussie's unlikely win was the fifth of his career, while Williams' teenager driver Lance Stroll (right) took third to become the youngest F1 rookie ever to make the podium.

Drivers' title race after round 8
Vettel 153 points
Hamilton 139 points
Bottas 111 points

Bottas gave another example of why Mercedes chose him to replace Nico Rosberg at the German team. The Finn dominated the Austrian Grand Prix weekend -- qualifying in pole before keeping Vettel at bay in the race. Hamilton who started from eighth on the grid battled back to fourth. <br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 9</strong><br />Vettel 171 points<br />Hamilton 151 points<br />Bottas 136 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Spielberg: Bottas scores second win —

Bottas gave another example of why Mercedes chose him to replace Nico Rosberg at the German team. The Finn dominated the Austrian Grand Prix weekend -- qualifying in pole before keeping Vettel at bay in the race. Hamilton who started from eighth on the grid battled back to fourth.

Drivers' title race after round 9
Vettel 171 points
Hamilton 151 points
Bottas 136 points

Hamilton was simply unstoppable at the British Grand Prix, qualifying more than half-a-second quicker than the Ferraris before delighting home fans with a commanding win. Both Vettel and teammate Raikkonen suffered punctures late in the race. Raikkonen recovered to finish third, but Vettel could only manage seventh, slashing his championship lead over Hamilton to a single point.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 10</strong><br />Vettel 177 points<br />Hamilton 176 points<br />Bottas 154 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Silverstone: Hamilton dominates home race —

Hamilton was simply unstoppable at the British Grand Prix, qualifying more than half-a-second quicker than the Ferraris before delighting home fans with a commanding win. Both Vettel and teammate Raikkonen suffered punctures late in the race. Raikkonen recovered to finish third, but Vettel could only manage seventh, slashing his championship lead over Hamilton to a single point.

Drivers' title race after round 10
Vettel 177 points
Hamilton 176 points
Bottas 154 points

Another race, another twist as this time Ferrari took the honors with Vettel leading teammate Raikkonen home, followed by the two Mercedes. Hamilton finished fourth after letting Bottas through for the final podium spot -- the Finn had let the Brit past earlier in what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid to chase down the two Ferraris.<br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 11</strong><br />Vettel 202 points<br />Hamilton 188 points<br />Bottas 169 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Budapest: Vettel bounces back —

Another race, another twist as this time Ferrari took the honors with Vettel leading teammate Raikkonen home, followed by the two Mercedes. Hamilton finished fourth after letting Bottas through for the final podium spot -- the Finn had let the Brit past earlier in what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid to chase down the two Ferraris.

Drivers' title race after round 11
Vettel 202 points
Hamilton 188 points
Bottas 169 points

Hamilton equaled Michael Schumacher's all-time pole record of 68 at the Belgian Grand Prix and then fended off a challenge from Vettel in the final 10 laps to take the checkered flag and his third career victory at Spa Francorchamps.<br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 12</strong><br />Vettel 220 points<br />Hamilton 213 points<br />Bottas 179 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Spa: Hamilton makes F1 history —

Hamilton equaled Michael Schumacher's all-time pole record of 68 at the Belgian Grand Prix and then fended off a challenge from Vettel in the final 10 laps to take the checkered flag and his third career victory at Spa Francorchamps.

Drivers' title race after round 12
Vettel 220 points
Hamilton 213 points
Bottas 179 points

After trailing Vettel all season, Hamilton finally got his nose in front in the drivers' championship showing a zen-like composure at the Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari, however, had a weekend to forget on home soil. A poor qualifying in wet conditions was followed by a frustrating race. Vettel did squeak onto the podium behind the Mercedes duo, but his title lead had slipped away. <br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 13</strong><br />Hamilton 238 points<br />Vettel 235 points<br />Bottas 197 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Monza: Hamilton wins in Ferrari's back yard —

After trailing Vettel all season, Hamilton finally got his nose in front in the drivers' championship showing a zen-like composure at the Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari, however, had a weekend to forget on home soil. A poor qualifying in wet conditions was followed by a frustrating race. Vettel did squeak onto the podium behind the Mercedes duo, but his title lead had slipped away.

Drivers' title race after round 13
Hamilton 238 points
Vettel 235 points
Bottas 197 points

Disaster strikes for Ferrari in Singapore as both Vettel and Raikkonen crash out on the opening lap -- Raikkonen hit his teammate after colliding with Max Verstappen at the start. Lewis Hamilton, who started from fifth, avoids trouble and quickly assumes the lead which he holds to the checkered flag. The win, his third at the Singapore GP extends the Briton's lead over Vettel to 28 points. <br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 14</strong><br />Hamilton 263 points<br />Vettel 235 points<br />Bottas 212 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Marina Bay Street Circuit: Ferrari crashes out —

Disaster strikes for Ferrari in Singapore as both Vettel and Raikkonen crash out on the opening lap -- Raikkonen hit his teammate after colliding with Max Verstappen at the start. Lewis Hamilton, who started from fifth, avoids trouble and quickly assumes the lead which he holds to the checkered flag. The win, his third at the Singapore GP extends the Briton's lead over Vettel to 28 points.

Drivers' title race after round 14
Hamilton 263 points
Vettel 235 points
Bottas 212 points

Max Verstappen celebrates after a superb victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver had endured a miserable run of luck in 2017 with seven retirements in the 14 previous grands prix. But any disappointment was banished in Malaysia as he sped to a second career F1 win. The Dutchman, who turned 20 on September 30, was already the <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/15/motorsport/spanish-grand-prix-max-verstappen-lewis-hamilton-nico-rosberg/index.html">youngest-ever F1 race winner</a>. With victory in Malaysia he is now the second youngest winner too. <br /><br />Lewis Hamilton was a distant second to Verstappen with Daniel Ricciardo finishing third. Sebastian Vettel crossed the line in fourth after starting in last place, which all means that Hamilton extends his championship lead over Vettel to 34 points. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 15</strong><br />Hamilton 281 points<br />Vettel 247 points<br />Bottas 222 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Sepang International Circuit: Verstappen makes more history —

Max Verstappen celebrates after a superb victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver had endured a miserable run of luck in 2017 with seven retirements in the 14 previous grands prix. But any disappointment was banished in Malaysia as he sped to a second career F1 win. The Dutchman, who turned 20 on September 30, was already the youngest-ever F1 race winner. With victory in Malaysia he is now the second youngest winner too.

Lewis Hamilton was a distant second to Verstappen with Daniel Ricciardo finishing third. Sebastian Vettel crossed the line in fourth after starting in last place, which all means that Hamilton extends his championship lead over Vettel to 34 points.

Drivers' title race after round 15
Hamilton 281 points
Vettel 247 points
Bottas 222 points

Lewis Hamilton took a giant step towards a fourth world title at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Briton led from start to finish to scoop his eighth win of the season while Sebastian Vettel suffered a DNF, limping out with engine issues at the start of the race. The Red Bull pairing of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo enjoyed another good weekend, finishing second and third respectively. <br /><br />Hamilton's victory means he now has a 59-point lead with four races remaining and will clinch the 2017 drivers' championship if he outscores Vettel by 16 points at the US Grand Prix in Austin on October 22.<br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 16</strong><br />Hamilton 306 points<br />Vettel 247 points<br />Bottas 234 points<br />

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Suzuka: Hamilton closes in on fourth title —

Lewis Hamilton took a giant step towards a fourth world title at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Briton led from start to finish to scoop his eighth win of the season while Sebastian Vettel suffered a DNF, limping out with engine issues at the start of the race. The Red Bull pairing of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo enjoyed another good weekend, finishing second and third respectively.

Hamilton's victory means he now has a 59-point lead with four races remaining and will clinch the 2017 drivers' championship if he outscores Vettel by 16 points at the US Grand Prix in Austin on October 22.

Drivers' title race after round 16
Hamilton 306 points
Vettel 247 points
Bottas 234 points

Lewis Hamilton wins his fifth race in six grands prix to extend his lead to 66 points over Sebastian Vettel. The German finished second and still has a mathematical chance of winning the 2017 world championship, but Hamilton could wrap up the title at the Mexico Grand Prix on October 29. <br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 17</strong><br />Hamilton 331 points<br />Vettel 265 points<br />Bottas 244 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Circuit of the Americas: Hamilton sprints to victory —

Lewis Hamilton wins his fifth race in six grands prix to extend his lead to 66 points over Sebastian Vettel. The German finished second and still has a mathematical chance of winning the 2017 world championship, but Hamilton could wrap up the title at the Mexico Grand Prix on October 29.

Drivers' title race after round 17
Hamilton 331 points
Vettel 265 points
Bottas 244 points

Lewis Hamilton wins the 2017 world championship to claim his fourth F1 title. The Mercedes driver finished ninth to secure the two points he needed to guarantee Vettel could not catch him in the last two races. After the two collided at the start of the race, Vettel fought back to eventually finish second behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Hamilton was ninth. Verstappen's third F1 win was overshadowed by the towering achievements of Hamilton who became the most successful British driver of all time and only the fifth man in F1 history to win four world championships. <br /><br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 18</strong><br />Hamilton 333 points<br />Vettel 277 points<br />Bottas 262 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez: Hamilton makes history —

Lewis Hamilton wins the 2017 world championship to claim his fourth F1 title. The Mercedes driver finished ninth to secure the two points he needed to guarantee Vettel could not catch him in the last two races. After the two collided at the start of the race, Vettel fought back to eventually finish second behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Hamilton was ninth. Verstappen's third F1 win was overshadowed by the towering achievements of Hamilton who became the most successful British driver of all time and only the fifth man in F1 history to win four world championships.

Drivers' title race after round 18
Hamilton 333 points
Vettel 277 points
Bottas 262 points

Sebastian Vettel hadn't won a race since the Hungarian Grand Prix in July. In the intervening period between then and the Mexico Grand Prix, he squandered a 14-point lead and lost sight of Lewis Hamilton as the Briton sped away to a fourth world title. In Brazil, Vettel triumphed once again to record his fifth win of the season and the 47th of his career. Hamilton started the race in last place after crashing out of qualifying early on, but stormed through the field to finish fourth behind Kimi Raikkonen and second-placed Valtteri Bottas.<br /> <br /><strong>Drivers' title race after round 19</strong><br />Hamilton 345 points<br />Vettel 302 points<br />Bottas 280 points

Photos: The story of the 2017 season ...

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Interlagos: Vettel back to winning ways —

Sebastian Vettel hadn't won a race since the Hungarian Grand Prix in July. In the intervening period between then and the Mexico Grand Prix, he squandered a 14-point lead and lost sight of Lewis Hamilton as the Briton sped away to a fourth world title. In Brazil, Vettel triumphed once again to record his fifth win of the season and the 47th of his career. Hamilton started the race in last place after crashing out of qualifying early on, but stormed through the field to finish fourth behind Kimi Raikkonen and second-placed Valtteri Bottas.

Drivers' title race after round 19
Hamilton 345 points
Vettel 302 points
Bottas 280 points

Documents relating to Hamilton’s purchase of a Bombardier Challenger 605 jet were revealed in the so-called Paradise Papers which were released last Sunday.

Reportedly aided by the offshore law firm Appleby, records purport to show that Hamilton received a $4.3m VAT (Value Added Tax) refund when the aircraft was imported to the Isle of Man, a British Crown Dependency and an offshore tax haven.

The jet was entered into a complex series of leasing agreements which enable a full VAT refund based on business use. However, the BBC and the Guardian report the plane was also used by Hamilton for private flights. VAT refunds for private use of jets are banned under UK and European Union law.

The Paradise Papers were released when the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and its dozens of collaborating news outlets published investigations last Sunday. The reporting partners included the New York Times, the Guardian and the BBC.

The project, which is based on more than 13.4 million documents dated from 1950 to 2016, covers a large number of global corporations, government leaders, and prominent people and their use of offshore accounts to avoid taxes or otherwise hide ownership of assets.

The documents have not been independently reviewed by CNN.

Lewis Hamilton celebrates at the Mexican Grand Prix after winning a fourth F1 drivers' title.

Photos: Four-time champion

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Lewis Hamilton celebrates at the Mexican Grand Prix after winning a fourth F1 drivers' title.

Hamilton clinched his third world title at the 2015 United States Grand Prix at Austin.

Photos: Four-time champion

MARK RALSTON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Hamilton clinched his third world title at the 2015 United States Grand Prix at Austin.

The previous year, he won his second drivers' championship, beating Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

Photos: Four-time champion

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The previous year, he won his second drivers' championship, beating Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

The Briton's first triumph came in only his second season in the sport. Hamilton is seen here celebrating with his father, Anthony (left) and brother Nick after winning the 2008 world drivers' title with McLaren.

Photos: Four-time champion

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The Briton's first triumph came in only his second season in the sport. Hamilton is seen here celebrating with his father, Anthony (left) and brother Nick after winning the 2008 world drivers' title with McLaren.

Hamilton has finished runner-up on two occasions. In 2007, his rookie season, he was pipped to the title by a single point in the final race by Kimi Raikkonen (right).

Photos: Four-time champion

VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Hamilton has finished runner-up on two occasions. In 2007, his rookie season, he was pipped to the title by a single point in the final race by Kimi Raikkonen (right).

In 2016, Hamilton had to settle for second after Nico Rosberg took the title before announcing his retirement from F1.

Photos: Four-time champion

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In 2016, Hamilton had to settle for second after Nico Rosberg took the title before announcing his retirement from F1.

Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel embrace at the 2017 Chinese Grand Prix. The season looked set to go down to the wire until Hamilton stormed to five wins in six races during August, September and October, ending Vettel and Ferrari's hopes of glory.

Photos: Four-time champion

Clive Mason/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel embrace at the 2017 Chinese Grand Prix. The season looked set to go down to the wire until Hamilton stormed to five wins in six races during August, September and October, ending Vettel and Ferrari's hopes of glory.

Hamilton poses for the cameras signaling his four world titles. How many more titles can the Briton win?

Photos: Four-time champion

Mark Thompson/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

Hamilton poses for the cameras signaling his four world titles. How many more titles can the Briton win?

READ: Why F1 is about to get a whole lot louder

“The “BBC Panorama programme of 6th November and a number of media outlets continue to reference Appleby’s security incident as a data leak,” said Appleby in a statement earlier this week. “We wish to reiterate that our firm was not the subject of a leak but of a serious criminal act and our systems were accessed by an intruder who deployed the tactics of a professional hacker.”

An Appleby statement said: “The journalists do not allege, nor could they, that Appleby has done anything unlawful. There is no wrongdoing. It is a patchwork quilt of unrelated allegations with a clear political agenda and movement against offshore.”

Hamilton, who clinched his fourth world drivers’ title at last month’s Mexico Grand Prix, has vowed not to take his foot off the gas in the remaining two races of the 2017 season.

“The championship is done, but there are still two races to go and it is important to win those two races to solidify what I have worked on this year,” Hamilton said earlier this week, ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit.

“If I was to sit back, relax and let someone else take the glory - sure it would be nice for them - but that is not what I am about.”