Hamilton did not race like a champion: Maldonado

Monaco: Lewis Hamilton`s display in the Monaco Grand Prix was unbecoming of an ex-Formula One champion, Pastor Maldonado said after a crash deprived the Venezuelan rookie of his first points for Williams.

"It`s a bit sad but these things happen in races," Maldonado told state TV in a telephone interview from Monaco. "What I think is that he (Hamilton) has run a race that is not that of a Formula One champion." Maldonado was running sixth in Sunday`s race, with only a handful of laps to go, when McLaren`s Hamilton tried to force his way past on the inside. They collided and the Williams driver was pitched into the barriers while 2008 Formula One champion Hamilton continued before receiving a 20-second penalty after the race and ending up sixth."I didn`t complain, I just finished my race and started to talk to my team about the next race," Maldonado said. "If the officials decided to penalise him (Hamilton) it`s for a reason ... it must be fair." After Maldonado`s disappointment, Rubens Barrichello took ninth spot to give Williams their first points of the season. Venezuela`s socialist leader Hugo Chavez sought to encourage the rookie driver."Cheer up my countryman! Better days will come, brother. Remember that every start is tough," Chavez said via Twitter. Bureau Report