adminLEWIS HAMILTON said trust was not something he applied to motor racing after being asked about his relationship with his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg following their falling out at the Belgian Grand Prix. When it was put to him that they needed a basis of trust to work together, Hamilton responded: “Trust is a big word and that’s not really something that I would particularly apply to racing on the track.
“Nico and me, we’ve been racing for a long time and I think we set a good foundation a long, long time ago so that’s what we work from.”
Hamilton’s race at Spa was wrecked after the front right-wing of Rosberg’s car hit his left-rear tyre, resulting in the Briton suffering a puncture.
Hamilton, who claimed the German’s actions were intentional, was eventually forced to retire late on in the race, while Rosberg went on to finish second and subsequently move 29 points clear of his rival in the fight for the title.
Hamilton was keen not to dwell on the incident, saying he was looking forward to this weekend’s race at Monza. “It’s not in my mind. I’m really excited about moving forwards, (I feel) really energetic, I had a good couple of days’ break last week and I’m excited to be here, this is one of my favourite circuits. I hope that we can have a good weekend.”
Rosberg admitted he was not proud of the incident in Belgium. “In Spa definitely I was not proud of the way it went because in general I really want to contribute to my sport, because I want it to be the most entertaining sport in the world,” he said.
“And if I am able contribute to that in many ways throughout the season then I’m very happy, and I’m sure in many ways we have.”
Felipe Massa added to the debate when he said he was surprised the German was not penalised by the stewards for “destroying” Hamilton’s race.
The Williams driver said: “What I saw in the last race was not so correct from Nico, to be honest. I don’t understand why they didn’t give him a penalty because it was impossible to pass Lewis at that place. He needed to brake. He didn’t brake, they touched, Nico was behind, so Nico destroyed Lewis’s race.”
Earlier this season race stewards were informed to be more lenient in looking at incidents rather than reviewing every single indiscretion. Massa has suggested they have now gone too far the other way, adding: “If you are the team and you have both drivers fighting for the championship, it’s fantastic for the team.
“They are not fighting another team, they are going to be champions anyway, so they need to allow them to fight. But for me, Nico should have had a penalty for what he did as he destroyed the race of another guy fighting for the championship.
“I think maybe the stewards are losing a little bit of direction. They need to carry on doing what is inside the rules.”
Given Rosberg’s lead at the top of the championship, and despite double points available at the final race in Abu Dhabi in November, Massa was in no doubt as to who had the advantage. “Nico – he has more points so it’s easier for him. I’d put my money on him now.” — The Guardian
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter