Monaco Grand Prix 2015: Lewis Hamilton refuses to criticise Mercedes after pit-stop decision robs him of second Monte Carlo victory

Hamilton was cruising to victory until a safety car period saw Mercedes pit him but not team-mate Nico Rosberg

Lewis Hamilton reacts on the podium after the Monaco Grand Prix (Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton refused to criticise his Mercedes team after they made the decision to pit him for a second time when he was leading the Monaco Grand Prix, meaning the reigning champion finished behind championship rival and team-mate Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel.

A clearly unhappy Hamilton spoke after the race, in which he built a dominating 15-second lead over Rosberg and was cruising to victory on what was proving to be an uneventful afternoon on the streets of Monte Carlo.

However, that all changed when Max Verstappen endured a heavy crash after smashing in to the back of Romain Grosjean’s Lotus – the 17-year-old Toro Rosso driver luckily unhurt – and Mercedes decided to pit Hamilton for a second time under the safety car in order to cover off Rosberg and Vettel, only they didn’t pit.

Mercedes misjudged the lead, which in this day of modern technology appears extremely hard to do in the world of F1, and when Hamilton emerged from the pit-lane he was behind both Rosberg and Vettel.

"Yeah, it was not the easiest of races," Hamilton said when interviewed by Martin Brundle after the podium ceremony. "The team has done amazing all year long and we win and lose together.

"I am just grateful for the job they did and congratulations to Nico and Sebastian."

Asked why his car was brought in, he said: "I am sure we will sit down afterwards and try and think of ways we can improve."

Rosberg was delighted on the podium after clinching his third straight victory on the streets of Monaco, a feat last achieved by the great Ayrton Senna, and while neither he nor Hamilton spoke to each other immediately after the race, they soon shook hands and Rosberg admitted he was lucky to have picked up the win.

"I am very, very happy, of course, but I know there was a lot of luck today," said the race winner.

"Lewis drove brilliantly and he would have also deserved the win, for sure, but that's the way it is in racing.

"I am definitely extremely happy and going to make the most of it."