Monaco GP steward Derek Warwick tells Lewis Hamilton to ‘man up’

Hamilton told to 'man up'

Derek Warwick, the British steward who helped clear Nico Rosberg of any wrongdoing after qualifying at the Monaco GP, has told Lewis Hamilton to "man up" and move on from the decision.

Hamilton was left fuming on Saturday after Rosberg's trip down a Mirabeau escape road compromised his last flying lap in Q3, leaving him second on the grid at a track where pole position is vital. The incident divided the paddock, with some making comparisons to Michael Schumacher parking his car at Rascasse in 2006 to prevent Fernando Alonso from gaining pole, for which the German was moved to the back of the grid.

Warwick, president of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC), admits the decision not to penalize Rosberg probably cost Hamilton the race but says his focus should now be on regaining the championship lead in Canada.

"I understand that Lewis was upset," Warwick is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. Possibly he would have gone faster than Nico on that lap. Arguably the incident cost him the Grand Prix. I don't want to give him advice really – he has won umpteen races and a world championship – but if I were to say anything it would be to man up and concentrate on the next race in Canada."

Warwick says he was completely satisfied with the data presented to him by Rosberg and insists it was not a decision taken lightly.

"I have been around a long time and seen people try to pull the wool over my eyes. Did I have doubts in my mind? Of course I did. But [Rosberg] gave me the answers I needed. I know there are conspiracy theories but you will not find a more honest driver in grand prix racing than Nico. He said himself that he made a mistake, came in too fast, braked too late and locked up his rear tires.

'You could argue that as president of the BRDC I would have a reason to come to a decision that would have favored the British driver, but obviously that is not how I would approach it. I am there to be independent. It is a big decision to make when you are deciding to move a driver to the back of the grid. It was doubly important to get it right because it could affect many things – probably the outcome of the race and possibly of the world championship.

'We had all Mercedes' data, including Lewis's data to overlay on Nico's. We had the FIA data. We had onboard shots, overhead shots, circuit shots. We had throttle traces, braking traces, everything we needed to make, hopefully, the right decision. It was not black and white. It took a long time. We wanted to be sure and thorough." ESPN F1