Hamilton defiant as rivals speak out

(GMM) Lewis Hamilton was defiant on Thursday when told many of his fellow formula one racers believe the FIA was right to penalize him for passing illegally at Spa-Francorchamps.

Many corners of F1's spectator-base and press believe the 25-second penalty that retrospectively cost the McLaren driver his Belgian grand prix victory was unfair, but that was not a widespread sentiment among other drivers as they spoke at Monza.

The Ferrari drivers, Fernando Alonso and Jarno Trulli this week already sided with the controversial stewards, and on Thursday it emerged that – even if they think Hamilton losing his win was harsh – Sebastien Bourdais, Nico Rosberg, Nick Heidfeld and Giancarlo Fisichella share similar opinions.

"I don't really understand why there's been such a mess around it," Toro Rosso's Bourdais, a multiple title winner in Champ Car, said. "There's a rulebook and everybody has to obey the same thing."

Championship leader Hamilton, 23, seemed unmoved at Monza when he was told what his fellow drivers think.

"We always have our own opinions and they have a right to have theirs," the Briton said.

"It is always easy to have a certain opinion when you are not involved," the McLaren driver added, "or when you are the one who is not winning."