hamilton fuming after stewards impose penalties

Lewis Hamilton launched a fierce attack on stewards in the wake of a penalty-hit Monaco Grand Prix.

Hamilton received two drive-through penalties for separate incidents with Felipe Massa in his Ferrari and Williams’s Pastor Maldonado.

The first penalty, for causing a collision with Massa as he made an attempt to pass on the inside at Loews Hairpin, saw the McLaren ace relegated two places from seventh to ninth.

The second, as Maldonado manoeuvred around the outside of the 25-year-old at the first corner Ste Devote and resulted in the rookie crashing into a barrier, was served retrospectively after the race, although it made no difference to his finishing position of sixth.

Hamilton was fuming immediately after the race, and made a stance as he said: “It’s an absolute joke. I’ve been to see the stewards five times out of six this season.”

Asked why he felt that was so he replied: “Maybe it’s because I’m black.”

Hamilton then added, as if to make light of his previous remark: “That’s what Ali G says,” referring to the fictional comic fictional TV character made famous by Sasha Baron Cohen.

Marussia Virgin Racing enjoyed a mixed day for their drivers, being left powerless as Timo Glock retired on lap 34 before seeing Jerome D’Ambrosio clinch 15th place, their best finish of the season.It would have been better for the Belgian, but he could not hold off both Lotuses.

John Booth, team principal for the Yorkshire-based outfit, said: “All in all it has been a challenging but rewarding couple of weeks.

“Jerome had done a great job of defending against Lotus for around 15 laps but unfortunately, he was unable to stay in front.”

D’Ambrosio added: “ It was a great first grand prix for me here – it’s a real privilege to race a Formula 1 car here.”