Haug excuses Hamilton shunt

(GMM) Mercedes-Benz's competition boss Norbert Haug excused Lewis Hamilton on Thursday after the rookie Briton smashed his McLaren into the Sainte Devote barriers.

22-year-old Hamilton, on his first day as a formula one driver on the challenging and famous street layout, sat out the last half hour of afternoon practice after braking too late for the first corner.

The heavy impact caused significant damage to the left front of his MP4-22, which had demonstrated promising pace alongside the Ferraris so far in Monaco.

"It's all part of the learning process," Haug told the German broadcaster Premiere.

"All the best drivers have seen the walls very closely here at some point or other — we will prepare the damage.

"I am sure he will say a little 'sorry' to his guys, but it is part of the game. We are completely happy with our drivers, and what really counts is the race."

Briton Hamilton's indiscretion is minimized somewhat due to the traditional track-free day on Friday, before practice and qualifying resumes on Saturday, giving McLaren mechanics plenty of time to rebuild the silver racer.

Haug said: "Before (the crash) Lewis was very impressive, as was Fernando — the speed was present both on a single lap and over a longer distance.

"I think we look pretty good, and Ferrari do too."

After arriving in Monaco during afternoon practice on Thursday, Ferrari advisor Michael Schumacher changed into a red team uniform, greeted the crew in the garage, and then thrilled a clan of corner marshals by watching the action from a trackside vantage point — and signing an autograph or two.