“He should've spoken out of respect”: Lewis Hamilton branded 'pathetic' for pulling out of media duties

Lewis Hamilton was withdrawn by Mercedes from Wednesday’s press conference for the Monaco Grand Prix. The 34-year-old had been due to appear on stage in Monte Carlo alongside Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. However, following the death of Mercedes’ non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, the Englishman was told by Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, that he did not need to attend. But Lauda's friend John Watson slammed Hamilton for not being respectful He said: “It's pathetic. I would like to know how Lewis can justify this. I know he was friendly with Niki, but I find it bizarre that a man of his stature would not be able to face people and tell them what Niki did for Mercedes and give him his due credit for the role he performed. He should have spoken out of respect. To be so upset that he apparently cannot discuss his admiration for how Niki helped him - that's pathetic.  Lewis has not had to deal with tragedy in his motor racing career the way previous generations had to. Niki's life was not cut desperately short as some drivers' lives were. He died peacefully with his family around him. What a life: champion driver, airline owner, team manager. And his personal life was worthy of a movie in itself. I don't think he had any regrets. If the roles were reversed, Niki would have been in there telling the press in his typical blunt way what a great driver and what a fine world champion Lewis is.”

Hamilton withdrawn from Monaco GP press conference