Lewis Hamilton scoffed at Red Bull as “funny” on Thursday after the former F1 dominators called for measures to rein in runaway Mercedes.
The world champion shot down comments from Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who said new rules were needed to “equalise” Mercedes after their big win in Australia.
“I find it quite funny. It’s an interesting opinion coming from individuals who have had so much success. And also bear in mind it’s only been one race,” sniffed Hamilton.
“And then on the personal side, it was a big step for me to come to this team, who have had so many years of poor performance.
“They hadn’t had the success of other teams, and not once did this team ever complain to others in order to equalise things. They just worked their arses off.”
Hamilton led a wire-to-wire Mercedes one-two at this month’s season-opener, 30 seconds ahead of the field, in signs they will tighten their hold on the sport this year.
But Hamilton said the Silver Arrows, powered by a vastly superior engine, shouldn’t be penalised for working hard to supplant Red Bull at the top of the championship tables.
The irony is delicious for the Briton, who was courted by the 2010-2013 drivers’ and constructors’ champions before he quit McLaren to join Mercedes in 2013.
“I came to this team and saw them making that progress. Now we’re the best team, we’ve really pulled together and done an amazing job,” Hamilton told reporters in Malaysia.
“And we’ve done that with the same rules that everyone else had, and the same resources that the other top teams have generally had. And I’m really very proud of that.
“I guess it’s just a funny situation.”
In other good news for the Briton, he is celebrating his brother Nicolas’s feat in becoming the first disabled driver to race in the British Touring Car Championship.
The 22-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, will make his debut in June.
“He’s worked very, very hard from a time when there wasn’t a lot of hope that he’d be walking, to getting out of the wheelchair, walking a long, long, long way, taking a few steps and now competing in a class where no one else has the same difficulty as him,” Lewis Hamilton said.
“I’ve always been inspired by my younger brother.”
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Ricciardo was forced to retire after the Aston Martin driver slammed into the back of his car during a safety car restart but Stroll…
It’s time that serious questions are asked of his Lance Stroll and his future in the team.
Five-years is a long time in motorsport, let alone the general state of the world – especially given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic…
Red Bull and Max Verstappen vaulted right back to the top of the charts with a win in Suzuka, after his DNF in Melbourne.
Japan Grand Prix has been the most entertaining of the season to date, but Max Verstappen was back to his winning ways.
This season is only four races old, but Fernando Alonso needs to decide on his future beyond this year sooner rather than later. Formula…
