- Italian GP - Race
Hamilton dislikes 'awkward' Rosberg boos
Lewis Hamilton says he felt uncomfortable hearing the boos which accompanied Nico Rosberg to the podium in Monza after the Italian Grand Prix.
Rosberg was booed on the podium in Spa after he caused a second-lap collision while challenging Hamilton for the lead, with the German continuing and his team-mate suffering a race-ruining puncture. Rosberg was second again in Italy but there were still audible boos when he arrived on the podium and later when he received his trophy, something which Hamilton says made him feel uneasy.
When asked if the vocal support he had received on the podium was a boost to his confidence, Hamilton said: "It is, but not particularly that situation. When I was up there it felt a bit awkward when I heard they were booing for Nico because I just generally don't like that in sport in general, even in football games. Away from the pitch and once we come out of the race everyone should be nice to everyone really, that's the feeling I have."
Hamilton thinks it is natural for fans to have favourites at Monza and says he's experienced his fair share of negative reactions from F1 supporters.
"I think they end up booing someone, more or less, because generally it's such a passionate crowd here and they are generally all Ferrari fans. I've had it here years and years ago, maybe for a couple of years I had boos. It was great for me to finally come here and have such great support from all the Ferrari fans, the Mercedes fans and my fans."
After the race Rosberg addressed the fans booing again, saying it felt no different to the reaction he received in Belgium.
"It is not nice, but what can I say?" Rosberg said. "I hope that with time they forgive and forget - that will be great. And I have apologised, I cannot do anything more than that."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
