Lewis Hamilton berates Red Bull and Helmut Marko

At the end of a Malaysian Grand Prix marked by internal tensions at Red Bull et Mercedes, Helmut Marko stated that Lewis Hamilton had preferential treatment at the Brackley stable. If Sebastian Vettel failed to respect team instructions by overtaking teammate Mark Webber, the 2008 world champion was able to secure his third place on the podium after Ross Brawn, the team principal, asked Nico Rosberg to stay behind him. “Our team will have the last word, we have to control our drivers, not like at Mercedes where there really is a number 1 and 2 driver”, attacked the motorsport advisor of the Austrian team

“It’s absurd, they (Red Bull, editor’s note) oclearly a number 1 and 2 driver, they always had them” replied Lewis Hamilton. “And that?s why they always had these kinds of problems. We don?t have #1 and #2 here (at Mercedes, editor’s note).” As a result, the Mercedes driver went back on his expectations when arriving at his new team. “I have always said, since the moment I negotiated with the team, that I wanted equality with Nico”, he clarifies. “They didn't even offer me favors, but I would like to make it clear that I am not a driver who arrives like that and has requests, like many other drivers do. » Regarding Sebastian Vettel's attitude after his controversial victory, Lewis Hamilton adds: “You have to be able to look in the mirror and tell yourself that you won fairly. I don?t have the feeling of having obtained my podium (in Malaysia, editor’s note) in a fair manner. Although I had a decent race, nothing spectacular. »