Hamilton ordered to lose race
McLaren team boss Ron Dennis admitted that Hamilton and world champion Fernando Alonso were told to ease off as they prepared to battle for glory in the biggest race of the year.
Hamilton said: "Of course I'm disappointed. At the end of the day I am a rookie coming into my first season so I can't complain about finishing second in my first Monaco GP.
"I have the No.2 on my car and I am the No.2 driver."
Team orders are banned in grand prix racing but team strategies are not and the sport's governing body the FIA could today launch an investigation into events. Dennis feared the Vodafone McLaren duo could crash off if they went wheel to wheel on the narrow street track and throw away a dominating 1-2 display.
"I make no excuses for instructing the racing drivers to slow their pace after the first stop," said Dennis.