UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Webber slates the press

Misinterpretation of comments

Oct.17 (GMM) Mark Webber has responded angrily to media reportage of his comments about Lewis Hamilton.

Amid drivers' concerns about some of the championship leader's recent on-track manoeuvres, the Australian had compared Hamilton's start at Fuji a week ago with Monza in 2000.

"We lost a marshal when there were guys moving around in the braking areas. That is what we want a chat about," said Webber, ahead of the drivers' briefing in China.

Some publications, however, interpreted Webber as indicating that unless Hamilton's tactics are reigned in, a fatality could occur.

"I'm very disappointed at the headlines. I'm disappointed with the press -- they come to you for your expertise and experience and sometimes they slate you," he told the BBC.

"I know I never said the word 'kill'. I said a lot of positive stuff about Lewis," the Red Bull driver added.

As it turns out, the Shanghai drivers' briefing was apparently business as usual, although Hamilton conceded afterwards that he knows he is not popular among his peers.

"It's a shame they all think that way but my driving is why I'm here and why I'm leading the championship so I'm not disappointed with the way I drive," he said.

"If other people want to expend their energy thinking about it, that's for them."

The McLaren driver believes it is par for the course for world champion contenders to take stick from their opponents.

"I look at previous world champions and previous seasons, and a lot of people that have been at the front have had these kind of situations, it's normal," he said.

Written: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:02:33