Lewis Hamilton voiced his displeasure towards the Monaco race stewards after some of his overtaking moves around the streets of Monte Carlo were called into question.
Speaking to the BBC’s Lee McKenzie, Hamilton described his summons to the stewards room as ‘an absolute frickin’ joke’.
The 2008 world champion was given a drive-through penalty during the race after colliding with Felipe Massa around the hairpin and was handed a 20-second penalty after the race for a late clash with Pastor Maldonado, but retains his sixth place finish.
A heated Hamilton, speaking before he learnt of this second penalty, hit out at the stewards: “It’s an absolute frickin’ joke,” he said. “I’ve been to see the stewards five times out of six this season.”
When asked why he thought the stewards were particularly keen to speak to him so frequently he replied: “Maybe it’s because I’m black. That’s what Ali G says.”
On the collision with Massa, Hamilton laid the blame squarely at the feet of the Ferrari driver – a contrary view to many observers and pundits: “Massa held me up in qualifying, I got the penalty,” he moaned. “He turned in to me [during the race], I got the penalty. These drivers are ridiculous. It’s stupid.”
Hamilton’s comments may get him into trouble with the FIA if they were to decide he was bringing the sport into disrepute.
