Raikkonen: Monza podium boos ‘not very nice’

Kimi Raikkonen says the boos during the Italian Grand Prix podium were “not very nice” and believes such conduct does not have a place in Formula 1.

After Lewis Hamilton beat the Ferrari driver to claim his fifth victory at Monza and extend his advantage over Sebastian Vettel in the drivers’ standings to 30 points, boos from the crowd were directed towards the Briton and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas throughout the podium ceremony.

Hamilton shrugged off the boos, claiming he had “harnessed it and turned it from negative to positive” to use as extra motivation, adding he was not offended by the reception he received. But Raikkonen, who finished second following a race-long duel with Hamilton, defended his rivals.

“I think everybody has the right to do what they feel like but I don’t think it’s very nice,” The Finn said.

“I don’t think it should happen but obviously it’s not my decision. It happens and that’s how life is but it’s not very nice.”

Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told the BBC he was “disgusted” by the treatment of Hamilton, who he described as a “fantastic champion”.

Booing was also heard during the British Grand Prix podium following Vettel’s victory ahead of Hamilton, while the Ferrari driver was jeered by a large portion of Max Verstappen fans at Hockenheim when he crashed out of the lead of the German Grand Prix.