Lauda slams Hamilton

Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda slammed Lewis Hamilton for the crash at Spain immediately after the race.

Despite it being clear at the time that Hamilton had carried so much more speed and had completely committed to that side of the track before Nico Rosberg moved across, the former three-time Formula One World Champion opted to publicly criticise Hamilton.

‘It’s very simple for me, It was a miscalculation in Lewis’s head, I blame him more than Nico.

‘But for the team and for Mercedes it is unacceptable. Lauda told Autosport Magazine.

He continued: ‘Lewis was too aggressive to pass him and why should Nico give him room? He was in the lead.

‘It is completely unnecessary and for me the disaster is that all Mercedes are out after two corners.’

Analysis later revealed that Nico Rosberg had started the race in the incorrect engine mode, handing Lewis Hamilton a considerable speed advantage coming out of turn 4.

Sky Sports pundits all laid blame on Nico Rosberg, but the race stewards at Barcelona decided to take no further action and label the crash as a racing incident.