Hamilton plays down importance of Norris Hungary quip

Lewis Hamilton has played down the importance of a cooldown room quip by Lando Norris in the aftermath of the Hungarian Grand Prix. 

After the duo finished second and third at the Hungaroring, third-placed Hamilton congratulated Norris, with the McLaren driver replying "you had a fast car seven years ago," and "you made the most of it, now it is us."

McLaren is in a championship fight against Red Bull, being 61 points behind in the constructors' with a faster car, but Hamilton dismissed the impact of the quip from Norris, whom he believes should continue his approach.

"It didn't bother me," Hamilton told media including RacingNews365. 

"I'm nearly 40 years old, so I remember being in my mid-20s, and I remember when I look back at things that I said that I would say differently, or if I would act differently. 

"Like when you come out of the race, how your emotions are when you should have won, so I see that and I'm like 'it's an age thing'.

"I don't take it personally and ultimately all us drivers, all us competitors put a lot of pressure on ourselves, that is how we do what we do. 

"I don't think you can be particularly great without putting pressure on yourself, you've got to aim high and if you fail, and you're like: 'that is the greatest thing ever' and you are really relaxed about, you are never going to achieve what you potentially could."

Hamilton's Norris advice

Norris is infamously harsh and self-critical of himself after perceived bad performances, but Hamilton has urged his fellow Briton to keep working hard.

"Can you be too hard on yourself? For sure, there was a time when I didn't leave my room for three days when I was his age," Hamilton added.

"So I know what it is like, and that wasn't healthy for me, but I don't think Lando has locked himself in his room for three days. 

"What is important is just to continue to do what he is doing, he is driving great, has a great car and needs to keep working together as a team."