The controversy comes at a time when Hamilton’s management are attempting to
negotiate a new contract with McLaren. His five-year deal expires at the end
of the season.
Meanwhile, Lotus have confirmed that Belgian reserve driver Jérôme d’Ambrosio
will take the place of the suspended Romain Grosjean at Monza.
Grosjean was handed a one-race ban by race stewards in Spa for causing the
accident which led to the multi-car pile-up on the opening lap of last
Sunday’s race in Belgium, an incident that accounted for Ferrari’s
championship leader Fernando Alonso and Hamilton amongst others.
D’Ambrosio, 26, drove for Marussia
Vrgin Racing last year but this will be his first opportunity in a
car capable of mixing it at the front of the pack. The Lotus E20 has
finished on the podium nine times this year and is widely expected to win a
race at some point.
D’Ambrosio’s chances of doing so this weekend are minimal. His only previous
experience of the E20 came when he drove 40 laps at the Mugello test on May
1.
Lotus
team principal Eric Boullier said: “When we signed Jérôme as our third
driver we signed a man who is highly motivated, fresh, talented and who
contested the full 2011 season. We hope that this will pay dividends when he
drives the car this weekend in Monza.”
D’Ambrosio added: “My desire for 2012 has always been to get back into the
seat of a Formula
One car so I am grabbing this opportunity with both hands. Monza is
a fantastic circuit and I can’t wait to take to the track on Friday. As
third driver I have worked with the team at every grand prix, attending all
the briefings and meetings that the race drivers do, so I am well prepared
in this respect.
“Monza is a superb circuit, but it is also quite a technical one so I am not
underestimating the task.”