Lewis Hamilton told to 'accept the consequences' of Charles Leclerc attack

Former F1 driver David Coulthard has stated Lewis Hamilton must “accept the consequences” for his approach to racing Charles Leclerc at the Italian Grand Prix.

Hamilton attacked Leclerc into the first corner of the race but was subsequently pushed into the gravel on the corner exit.

It caused the seven-time champion to drop down the order, forcing him into a recovery drive at the team's home race.

Coulthard noted that Leclerc was more than fair to Hamilton through the opening corner and was entitled to run him out of road on the exit.

“I thought Lewis was brilliant on the brakes, and I thought Charles was very fair in giving him the space,” Coulthard told the Up To Speed podcast.

“Charles has had the presence of his position to give the space to Lewis on the inside, but he's got the absolute right to run on the outside, which then becomes the inside for the next corner. 

“Yes, he's taken the racing line, which forces Lewis off, but Lewis has a choice. 

“When you put yourself on the outside, you're at the mercy of the car on the inside. So it's a higher risk than if you're on the inside. 

“He put himself at the mercy of the car on the inside. His team-mate said, 'No, I'm not giving you room now. I've given you room on the way into Turn 1.

“On the way through Turn 2, you've got a choice: you stay there, or you go to the gravel. He made his choice, and he was put to the gravel.”

Hamilton voiced his frustration over team radio and later called on Ferrari to implement ground rules going forward.

However, Coulthard suggested Hamilton should have been anticipating such a move from Leclerc.

“I can understand absolutely why Lewis would not be happy with that because I wouldn't be happy and you wouldn't be happy,” he said.

“But if you put yourself in that position, you have to accept the consequences as well, and the fact that the stewards didn't apply any penalty would suggest that they just called it a racing incident.”