World champion Lewis Hamilton has been forced to clarify post-race remarks about teammate Valtteri Bottas after the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Hamilton was furious that title rival Max Verstappen, who started from third on the grid in yesterday’s race, was able to sweep past both Mercedes cars and into the lead at the first corner.
READ MORE: Winners and losers from 2022 NRL draw
READ MORE: Dylan Alcott announces tennis retirement
READ MORE: The Mole reveals Penrith’s tense contract standoff with grand final hero
The 36-year-old suggested that Bottas, who is leaving Mercedes for Alfa Romeo at the end of the season, should have done more to prevent the Red Bull passing both drivers around the outside.
“He left the door open for Max, and Max was on the racing line so did a mega job braking into Turn 1,” Hamilton said.
“Because I was on the inside on the dirt, there was no hope for me.”
To add insult to injury, Bottas was spun around after contact with Daniel Ricciardo, meaning he couldn’t help Hamilton at the front of the field, while Verstappen was able to control the race from the front to score a comfortable win and extend his title lead to 19 points.
Verstappen has outscored Hamilton by 21 points over the last three races.
With the benefit of a chance to reflect on the outcome, Hamilton was in a much more conciliatory mood.
“We all have bad days. We live and we learn,” he posted on social media.
“Yesterday I said VB [Bottas] left the door open and naturally people will jump to criticise. We are a team and we win and lose as a team. There is not one single person responsible for winning or losing, we do it together good or bad.
“You may be able to beat us, but you won’t be able to break us.
“Onto the next one Valtteri, let’s keep pushing bro!”
That was the second of two clarifications Hamilton was forced to make after the race. Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after his second place finish, Hamilton was discussing the speed of the Red Bull cars, noting that “when you’ve got Checo (Sergio Perez) on your tail then you know their car is quick.”
That was seen by many as a slap in the face for Perez, who currently sits fourth in the world championship, following his third consecutive podium finish.
“I have a lot of respect for Perez and think he’s doing a great job in his new team,” Hamilton said on Instagram.
“He’s improved so much this season and I know how hard it is to progress with a new team, it takes time.
“My comment was simply that following another car in Mexico is the hardest thing due to the low drag we all have. That’s why there is very little overtaking.
“However, he was able to follow so closely which highlights just how much more downforce they were able to carry. Big up Checo for keeping it clean.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!