Maldonado takes another swipe at Lewis

Sunday 28th August 2011

Maldonado takes another swipe at Lewis

Maldonado takes another swipe at Lewis

Pastor Maldonado has called for "more focused and respect" from Lewis Hamilton following an incident-packed weekend for the McLaren driver.

Venezuelan rookie Maldonado started Sunday's Belgian GP in 21st place after he was slapped with a five-place grid penalty and Hamilton reprimanded following their coming-together on the slow down lap after Q2 at Spa on Saturday.

Hamilton was involved in a similar incident with Kamui Kobayashi during the race. The duo battled for fourth position and made contact, sending the McLaren driver into retirement and the Sauber driver into the pits for repair work.

Maldonado says both drivers accepted their punishment for their actions on Saturday, but questioned Hamilton's driving.

"I think maybe we both made a mistake yesterday, and I am a bit disappointed that only I got a penalty and not him," the Williams driver told BBC Sport. "But anyway that's racing, we need to look forward. That's past. The only bad thing is that he did the same today, so I think he needs to be more focused on his race and not to do that movement."

When asked if the two incidents were similar, Maldonado answered: "A bit similar yes.

"For sure I think we should have slowed down after Turn 1," Maldonado added. "But in the end I think we lost our concentration you know and we were fighting. It was a bad thing. That's racing, that's Formula 1, we need to look forward.

"I think Lewis is a really talented driver, a really good friend, so we need to be more focused and respect each other more."

Related Links
Race Report: Vettel wins Belgian thriller

User comments

    Loading

      Post a comment

      Glitz, Glamour, Monaco!

      Editor's Picks

      NTF1N: Dieter's Lottery

      NTF1N: Dieter's Lottery

      Red Bull Racing boss Dieter Mateschitz reckons that F1 this season is like watching a load of lottery balls come up...

      Team-Mate Wars: Spain

      Team-Mate Wars: Spain

      Fernando's continuing whitewash is beginning to cause concern at Maranello, while Lewis has banished his own tyre demons...

      PF1 Forum: Chatting Away

      PF1 Forum: Chatting Away

      Pastor Maldonado for the World title? Lewis Hamilton to Williams in 2012? And everyone reckons they can win. All these and more...

      Conclusions From Spain

      Conclusions From Spain

      It's a season where nothing lasts forever as highlighted by Pastor becoming the fifth different driver to claim a race win...

      Fantasy League: Game On

      Fantasy League: Game On

      Think you'd be a better team boss than PlanetF1? Join Our Friends & Enemy League on the PlanetF1 Fantasy League...