Hamilton: 'I may not always get it right when tensions are high'

“I’m learning and growing every day, and I’ll take my lessons and keep fighting on to the next one. Thank you to those who continue to support and are right there fighting with me. Still we rise!”

An uncharacteristically error-filled weekend in Sochi had already put the championship leader on the back foot ahead of his attempt to match Michael Schumacher’s Formula 1 win record.

Two pre-race infractions ahead of last Sunday’s race led to two five-second time penalties which effectively ended his chances of victory. Hamilton was less than impressed in the immediate aftermath.

In post-race interviews, Hamilton and his Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff made clear they disagreed with the decision, with Hamilton claiming the decision had been made to impede his record-equalling efforts.

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— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) September 29, 2020

Asked if he felt the penalty decisions had been harsh, Hamilton said he felt he had been singled out.

“Of course it is. But it’s to be expected. They’re trying to stop me, aren’t they,” he said after the race.

“I’m pretty sure no one’s got two five-second penalties for something so ridiculous before. I didn’t put anyone in danger, I’ve done this at a million tracks over the years and it’s never been questioned.”

Hamilton was judged to have made his practice starts from too far out of the pit lane exit and was handed two penalties for his starts after the race had begun.

“I am not happy with the penalty because it’s far-fetched,” team principal Toto Wolff told media on Sunday.

“I will always respect the stewards in their job but on that one we agree to disagree.”