LONDON: Lewis Hamilton has turned his fire on Formula One rivals Red Bull for suggesting after a controversial Malaysian Grand Prix that he has joined Mercedes as their clear number one.
The race at Sepang was dominated by controversial team orders issued by champions Red Bull and Mercedes but Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko said afterwards that his team had a different approach to Hamilton’s.
“The team will have a word because we have to control the drivers,” the Austrian told Sky Sports television after world champion Sebastian Vettel had won by ignoring instructions to remain behind team-mate Mark Webber.
“It’s not like at Mercedes where it’s a clear number one and number two. Basically we treat the drivers the same,” added Marko.
Speaking to British reporters, Hamilton said that was nonsense and he and Germany’s Nico Rosberg had equal status.
“They (Red Bull) have a clear one and two, they always have,” he said. “And that is why they have always had the problems they have had.
“We don’t have a one and two here (at Mercedes). I have always said, from the moment I was speaking to the team, that I wanted equality.
“I am not a driver that comes and requests that (favoured status) like a lot of other drivers do. You have to be able to look yourself in the mirror (and say) you won fair and square.”
Hamilton finished third at Sepang, the 2008 world champion’s first podium for the team since his move from McLaren at the end of last season, while Rosberg was fourth after being told to stay behind.
The team, whose title sponsor is Malaysian oil company Petronas, explained that was because fuel levels were low and they had to manage the pace.
The German did as he was told but Hamilton said on the podium after that race that he felt Rosberg should have been up there instead of him.
“In Malaysia I don’t feel like I won my spot fair and square,” said Hamilton. “Although I did drive a decent race, I don’t feel spectacular about it.”
Crutchlow outshines Rossi and Lorenzo
JEREZ, Spain: British rider Cal Crutchlow stole the show at the end of three rain-affected days of MotoGP testing sessions here on Monday, posting the fastest time on his Yamaha Tech3.
Crutchlow, seventh in the world championship last year, timed a best of 1min 39.511sec, faster than the two official Yamaha bikes ridden by defending champion Jorge Lorenzo and Italian great Valentino Rossi.
Crutchlow was 14 thousandths of a second faster than Rossi, who is returning to Yamaha after a disappointing spell with Ducati, and 29thousandths quicker than Lorenzo.
Crutchlow was delighted with his series of testing which is the last before the first MotoGP of the season in Qatar on April 7.
“I feel good,” said the 27-year-old. “It is a shame that I couldn’t do 70 laps on a dry course over three days but to ride at this rhythm is good news,” added Crutchlow, whose bike is powered by French stable Tech3.
Honda lead rider Dani Pedrosa opted not to risk training on Monday.
“We (Pedrosa and Honda) reckoned that in these conditions, and even if the track began to dry, we have nothing more to test for,” said Pedrosa, who has yet to win a MotoGP world title having finished runner-up three times.
“Apart from that I had a painful back and I preferred to have some rest,” added the 27-year-old Spaniard. REUTERS
