Lewis Hamilton called out for moaning by F1 rival after issues at Hungarian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has endured a difficult F1 season so far
PA
Lando Norris has shut down Lewis Hamilton's complaints about his Mercedes vehicle following Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Stevenage-born racer was in pole position to reign supreme but ended up finishing fourth behind Max Verstappen, Norris and Sergio Perez.
Hamilton finished 16th quickest in Fp2 at Hungaroring on Friday and immediately said the car felt like it was operating 'at its worst' ahead of the qualifiers the following day.
Despite his complaints, Hamilton raced well in the main event - though squandered victory by dropping down to fourth in the closing stages.
Lewis Hamilton finished fourth at the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday
PA
And Norris has now called out his compatriot, insisting the seven-time world champion shouldn't be moaning as much as he is.
"Mercedes were on pole here last year, and their car has been pretty good," he said.
"I know Lewis complains a lot of how amazing our car is and how bad theirs is, but they don't have a bad car. And they haven't all season.
"Today, we struggled more than we would have liked. But we know this is an area for improvement.
"So yeah, I think it's a positive surprise, again, to be where we are.
"But we have the same pace as Mercedes, it's just we've done a better job. So I have to thank the whole team for that."
Norris continued: “Yesterday [Saturday], Lewis complained of how tough it was finishing outside first position.
"Try racing in 19th and 20th. He’s never done that in his life.
"So that's the only thing that Lewis hasn't done in Formula 1.”
Norris also proceeded to express a belief that Hamilton and Mercedes missed out on a podium place because they didn't 'execute a very good race'.
"Lewis stayed ahead [at the first corner], which was frustrating," added the 23-year-old.
"But then I managed to stay on the outside. I was a bit surprised, I would have thought he'd run me a bit wider, but he didn't.
"It was close, I'm sure he was still trying, but it's very easy to lock up into Turn 2.
"And it worked out, so I think that saved our race today.
"If I didn't get past Lewis there, I don't think I would have overtaken him today because their race pace was very strong.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Lando Norris has called out F1 rival Lewis Hamilton for moaning too much
PA
"Their general pace was very strong, I just think they didn't execute a very good race, and that overtake made me get a podium.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton admitted Verstappen was superior in Hungary after missing out on yet another win.
"The start, actually, the initial getaway wasn't the worst I've ever had, but it obviously wasn't as good as Max's," he said.
"I had a bit of wheelspin and then obviously Max was on the inside and he ran me wide and I got done by the two McLarens.
"So, definitely not a great start, kind of reminiscent of 2015 when I fell back from first."