Lewis went to visit FIA chief Charlie Whiting after Hungary qualifying
Monday 1 August 2016 15:40, UK
Mercedes boss Paddy Lowe says it was "regrettable" and "a misjudgement" for Lewis Hamilton to visit FIA race director Charlie Whiting after qualifying following Nico Rosberg's controversial pole position.
Hamilton was unhappy after Rosberg claimed pole at the Hungaroring, despite the German recording his fastest lap time when double yellow flags were being waved.
"It is my understanding that Lewis did go and see Charlie but it wasn't in any way to seek a review of Nico's lap - it was for his own understanding of what should be done in the future, how that should work for him in the future. I think that was regrettable," said Lowe.
"Personally, he should have kept to advice from the team and we can obtain that from Charlie as necessary. But I don't think there was any harm done. It was just a misjudgement from that point of view."
Following a Strategy Group meeting on Thursday the rules have immediately been changed and, starting from this weekend in Hockenheim, qualifying sessions will now be stopped if there are double waved yellow flags.
Meanwhile, Sky F1 pundits Damon Hill and David Croft believe the situation has led to rising tensions between the Mercedes pair and within the team.
"It's tense isn't it," said Hill, during the final practice session at Hockenheim. "And it's not helped by this situation where Lewis reputedly went and sort of snitched on Nico, so we've got this new change for qualifying. There's definitely tension there, but Nico has still got a lot to fight for."
While Croft added: "To do it to a driver from another team is one thing, but to try and, not so much dob your team-mate in it, but just to make the stewards a little bit aware, it's not gone down well within the team, I don't think."
