LNS Sports Exclusive: McLaren's Hamilton apologizes to F1 rivals

LONDON - McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton apologized to Formula One rivals Felipe Massa and Pastor Maldonado on Tuesday for calling them "ridiculous" in the aftermath of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Hamilton was given drive-through penalties after colliding with Massa and Maldonado as he attempted to pass them during Sunday's incident-packed race.

The 2008 world champion posted an apology on his Twitter account, saying he didn't mean to criticize the pair and labeling them "fantastic drivers who I regard highly."


Hamilton criticized stewards after the race for imposing the penalties but was particularly unhappy with Massa and Maldonado, saying Sunday "these drivers are ridiculous. It's stupid." Hamilton acknowledged Tuesday he went too far and may have offended Formula One fans with his comments.

"(To) my fans lost & my fans won, I wish u nothing but love & happiness," Hamilton added on the social networking site.

Hamilton finished sixth on Sunday and is second in the drivers' championship, 58 points behind Monaco winner Sebastian Vettel.