Lewis Hamilton annoyed with the stewards
Penalized after his collision with Felipe Massa and under investigation by the stewards for the one with Maldonado at Sainte-Dévote, the 2008 World Champion does not hide his annoyance.
At the finish of the Monaco Grand Prix, which he completed in 6th position, Lewis Hamilton was very upset with the stewards, but not only them.
In six races, I’ve been called to the stewards five times. It’s a joke… It’s absolutely a fucking joke.
Asked about the reasons for these frequent visits in front of the College of Commissioners, the Briton reportedly replied, jokingly: « Probably because I’m black. That’s what Ali G says » explains the McLaren driver, referring to the white character played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.
The Briton was indeed penalized with a mandatory pit stop after his collision with Felipe Massa at the Loews hairpin on lap 34.
I was faster than Felipe. I went on the inside and the guy turned too early, closing the door on me. So I tried to get on the curb to avoid him and we both got stuck. And of course, I get the penalty, which is usual. He hindered me in qualifying and I’m the one penalized. [In the race], he shuts the door on me and I’m penalized.
The Briton, who started 9th on the grid, also made his presence felt at the end of the race during a collision with Pastor Maldonado before being involved in an accident himself.
« I dove inside of Maladonado and you can see on the video that he turns in way too early, a good car length to prevent me from overtaking, and he ran into me. It’s ridiculous. These drivers are absolutely ridiculous. Just stupid. »
Invited to respond, Martin Brundle, commentator for the BBC, states that the problem with Lewis is that it’s always someone else’s fault. It makes you wonder if he doesn’t need to change his mentality a bit on that.
To overtake as he does, you have to be quite daring. Lewis had to take risks today and he was unlucky all weekend. There was frustration in his driving, but it can’t always be the fault of others, concluded Brundle.
Honestly, if I really feel like I’ve gone too far and hurt someone, I acknowledge my mistakes, that I’ve been the most foolish, but that wasn’t the case today » explains Hamilton in another interview.
The 2008 World Champion, however, claims that it won’t change his driving style: « People want to see action, they want to see overtaking, and we fight to overtake, to put on a show. »
