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Hamilton says sorry after angry rant
Source: Agencies |
May 31, 2011, Tuesday
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MCLAREN'S Lewis Hamilton moved to avert the wrath of Formula One's governing body after blasting Monaco Grand Prix stewards for their "joke" actions against him.
The Briton, who became the sport's first black world champion in 2008, also referred to his color in post-race comments as he vented his frustration on Sunday.
"It's an absolute ... joke," Hamilton told the BBC in broadcast comments. "I've been to see the stewards five times out of six this season.
"Maybe it's because I'm black. That's what Ali G says," added the 26-year-old, referring to a fictional white character acted by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.
Hamilton finished sixth on Sunday despite collecting two drive-through penalties, one of them imposed retrospectively, for collisions in the heat of battle on the tight and twisty street circuit.
The first incident ended the race for Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa, who crashed in the tunnel after the cars came together at the hairpin, while the second wrecked Venezuelan rookie Pastor Maldonado's hopes of first points for Williams.
Hamilton told reporters after he had calmed down that he had been back to see the stewards to explain himself and make peace.
"I just made them aware that, when emotions are high and very intense at the end of those races, you don't always say the right thing," he said.
"The joke probably didn't come at the most appropriate time," he added, saying that he was joking with the Ali G comment. "So I went there and made that clear to them and we made our peace ... I'm just passionate and I drove my absolute heart off," he said.
"I felt like I had everything thrown at me and I managed to catch it and deal with it the best way I could, except for just then," said the Briton.
Hamilton said the stewards had accepted his position.
"They understood and just said 'we have all competed before and understand the passion, so we understand where you are coming from'," he explained. "We all shook hands afterwards, said it was a tough weekend and to move on and they all wished me well for the season."
Hamilton was also critical of his fellow drivers, who made their feelings equally clear.
"Massa held me up in qualifying, I got the penalty," fumed the McLaren driver. "He turned in to me (during the race), I got the penalty. These drivers are ridiculous. It's stupid."
Massa, who has now retired from two races in a row, saw it differently and called on the FIA to issue more penalties against the Briton.
"What he did today was unbelievable. Not just with me, but with other drivers as well," Massa said. "I think he needs to be penalized again, and in a good way - otherwise he doesn't learn. They need to think about something for him, or he will not learn."
Hamilton, the only driver this season to have beaten Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel, who now leads him by 58 points, said fans wanted to see real racing.
"But you get done trying to put on a show, trying to make a move. Fair play, if I feel I've gone too late I'd hold my hand up to admit I've caused an incident. But it's not the case," he told the BBC. "I'll just try and keep my mouth shut and try to enjoy the rest of the season."
The Briton, who became the sport's first black world champion in 2008, also referred to his color in post-race comments as he vented his frustration on Sunday.
"It's an absolute ... joke," Hamilton told the BBC in broadcast comments. "I've been to see the stewards five times out of six this season.
"Maybe it's because I'm black. That's what Ali G says," added the 26-year-old, referring to a fictional white character acted by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.
Hamilton finished sixth on Sunday despite collecting two drive-through penalties, one of them imposed retrospectively, for collisions in the heat of battle on the tight and twisty street circuit.
The first incident ended the race for Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa, who crashed in the tunnel after the cars came together at the hairpin, while the second wrecked Venezuelan rookie Pastor Maldonado's hopes of first points for Williams.
Hamilton told reporters after he had calmed down that he had been back to see the stewards to explain himself and make peace.
"I just made them aware that, when emotions are high and very intense at the end of those races, you don't always say the right thing," he said.
"The joke probably didn't come at the most appropriate time," he added, saying that he was joking with the Ali G comment. "So I went there and made that clear to them and we made our peace ... I'm just passionate and I drove my absolute heart off," he said.
"I felt like I had everything thrown at me and I managed to catch it and deal with it the best way I could, except for just then," said the Briton.
Hamilton said the stewards had accepted his position.
"They understood and just said 'we have all competed before and understand the passion, so we understand where you are coming from'," he explained. "We all shook hands afterwards, said it was a tough weekend and to move on and they all wished me well for the season."
Hamilton was also critical of his fellow drivers, who made their feelings equally clear.
"Massa held me up in qualifying, I got the penalty," fumed the McLaren driver. "He turned in to me (during the race), I got the penalty. These drivers are ridiculous. It's stupid."
Massa, who has now retired from two races in a row, saw it differently and called on the FIA to issue more penalties against the Briton.
"What he did today was unbelievable. Not just with me, but with other drivers as well," Massa said. "I think he needs to be penalized again, and in a good way - otherwise he doesn't learn. They need to think about something for him, or he will not learn."
Hamilton, the only driver this season to have beaten Red Bull's world champion Sebastian Vettel, who now leads him by 58 points, said fans wanted to see real racing.
"But you get done trying to put on a show, trying to make a move. Fair play, if I feel I've gone too late I'd hold my hand up to admit I've caused an incident. But it's not the case," he told the BBC. "I'll just try and keep my mouth shut and try to enjoy the rest of the season."
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