Sir Jackie accuses Hamilton

SIR Jackie Stewart has accused Lewis Hamilton of being a “little ballerina” and called on Mercedes to hit him with an ultimatum of “do it our way or be excused” from the team.

Stewart, Britain’s only other triple world champ, delivered his stinging verdict with Mercedes still deliberating as to what action they will take against Hamilton after he disobeyed orders in Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes were unhappy with him for backing teammate Nico Rosberg into the clutches of the chasing pack in a ploy, which, they believe, could have cost the team victory.

Hamilton returned to the scene of his championship defeat yesterday for a Pirelli tyre test but failed to complete the scheduled day in its entirety after withdrawing through illness.

“I think Hamilton can be a little ballerina,” Sir Jackie said. “Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda are not stupid and neither is the Mercedes chairman who often comes to grands prix.

“You cannot threaten a multi-national corporation of that size by one man who is just not doing it the right way.

“Give him the option of ‘either do it our way or you have to be excused’.”

Wolff, t he Mercedes boss, suggested his team may take disciplinary action against Hamilton for i gnoring two direct orders to speed up during Sunday’s season finale.

Stewart, 77, who attended the Abu Dhabi race, added: “Lewis was refusing i nstructions. When you are paid between £20-30 million a year and you are told to do something you do it.”

Sir Jackie Stewart