‘Ridiculous’ reprimand leaves Hamilton fuming

Formula one: Defending champion has fears over stewards

Defending champion Lewis Hamilton fears Formula One’s stewards are turning against him after branding his latest reprimand as “bloody ridiculous”.

Hamilton, who lost further ground to Nico Rosberg in the battle for this season’s championship following Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix, will be hit with a 10-place grid penalty should he court the attention of the stewards on just one more occasion at the remaining 17 races.

Hamilton was handed his first reprimand in Bahrain after he reversed in the pit lane following his record- breaking lap in qualifying. On Saturday, he faced the wrath of the stewards once more after he ran wide at turn two and failed to negotiate a polystyrene block when he rejoined the track.

“I’m just aware that there’s most likely going to be one 10-place grid penalty because I’ve got one more reprimand to go,” said Hamilton.

“The last (reprimand) was bloody ridiculous.”

Hamilton, now 43 points behind Rosberg, added :“It’ s quite funny. When I was in karting there was one steward who was just there to make everyone’s weekend a bad weekend. I’m starting to have reminiscent experiences.”

While Rosberg has cantered to four straight victories, Hamilton’s campaign has been blighted by a number of mechanical issues.

On Sunday, a water leak from Hamilton’s engine, already replaced after it expired in qualifying, curtailed his advances from 10th to second.

At one stage he was less than eight seconds shy of Rosberg, but was forced to cool his charge in an attempt to nurse his stricken Mercedes home.

Hamilton crossed the line behind the German but his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was forced to deny accusations, largely on social media, of sabotage to the world champion’s car.

Hamilton also knocked back the spurious claims, but urged his team to brief him with a report on the findings of his latest car failure after they failed to do so following his engine problem in China.

Picture: Getty Images. Lewis Hamilton looks on outside the team garage at Sochi on Sunday.