German Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton accused of being a bad example by fellow F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez
Hamilton gestured angrily at Gutierrez as he lapped him during Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix
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Your support makes all the difference.Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been accused of being a bad example by his fellow driver Esteban Gutierrez.
Hamilton gestured towards the Haas F1 driver during last Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix after he became caught up in the battle at the front between Hamilton and his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. With the championship lead on the line, Hamilton was eager to lap Gutierrez as quickly as possible, though that’s something easier said than done on the tight Hungaroring circuit.
As he passed the Mexican on the start-finish straight, Hamilton waved angrily at Gutierrez, who responded by taking to Twitter immediately after the race in posting: "Being a world champion doesn't give you the right to be disrespectful to your competitors."
Gutierrez has since elaborated on his comments ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix.
"He must be aware that people are looking up to him and if he wants to give a good example this is not the way to do it," Gutierrez told Sky Sports in Hockenheim.
"It's also not a good thing to criticise an opponent who is trying to do his best and trying to do the safest thing. He must be aware he has a car which is much more superior to my car.
"But for him being a world champion it is even more important in his position to give the right example - not only to kids, but to the world."
While Hamilton has not apologised to Gutierrez, it’s added that he has sought out the 24-year-old in order to make contact.
The difference between the pace of the Mercedes and the rest of the field bar the Ferraris and Red Bulls mean that the possibility of Hamilton lapping Gutierrez again this season is very high, although only Singapore poses similar difficulties in overtaking as the Hungaroring does. It remains to be seen though if Gutierrez is happy to let Hamilton on his way the next time they meet on the track, or if he lets his unhappiness with Sunday’s incident have an effect on his decision-making.
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