Hamilton: 'I may not always get it right when tensions are high'

F1

"I am human after all" says Hamilton, as he retreats from his claims that Russian GP penalties were an attempt to stop him winning

Lewis Hamilton portrait at the 2020 F1 Russian Grand Prix in Sochi

Dan Istitene - Formula 1 via Getty Images

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Lewis Hamilton has said that he doesn’t always get it right, following the Russian Grand Prix where he accused the FIA and race stewards of trying to stop him from winning.

Now a few days removed from the race, the Mercedes driver said in a social media post that he may not have had the right reaction immediately after the finish.

“I may not always get it right in the face of adversity,” Hamilton posted on Instagram.

“I may not always react the way you want me to when tensions are high, but I am only human after all and I am passionate about what I do.

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“I’m learning and growing every day, and I’ll take my lessons and keep fighting on to the next one. Thank you to those who continue to support and are right there fighting with me. Still we rise!”

An uncharacteristically error-filled weekend in Sochi had already put the championship leader on the back foot ahead of his attempt to match Michael Schumacher’s Formula 1 win record.

Two pre-race infractions ahead of last Sunday’s race led to two five-second time penalties which effectively ended his chances of victory. Hamilton was less than impressed in the immediate aftermath.

In post-race interviews, Hamilton and his Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff made clear they disagreed with the decision, with Hamilton claiming the decision had been made to impede his record-equalling efforts.

Asked if he felt the penalty decisions had been harsh, Hamilton said he felt he had been singled out.

“Of course it is. But it’s to be expected. They’re trying to stop me, aren’t they,” he said after the race.

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“I’m pretty sure no one’s got two five-second penalties for something so ridiculous before. I didn’t put anyone in danger, I’ve done this at a million tracks over the years and it’s never been questioned.”

Hamilton was judged to have made his practice starts from too far out of the pit lane exit and was handed two penalties for his starts after the race had begun.

“I am not happy with the penalty because it’s far-fetched,” team principal Toto Wolff told media on Sunday.

“I will always respect the stewards in their job but on that one we agree to disagree.”