Hamilton hits back at Vettel

Lewis Hamilton has snapped back at Sebastian Vettel following the reigning champion's criticism of Mercedes after the Monaco Grand Prix.

Vettel described race-winner Nico Rosberg and team-mate Hamilton as like "two buses going for a cruise" over the first few laps as they preserved their tyres in the opening stages, backing up the pack.

In response to Vettel's dig, Hamilton said: "He has had the fastest car for the last four years, so it's easy for him to say that. He's got it easy."

He added: "We are making our way up, we are learning, growing, improving with a car that has great potential, so I don't agree with him."

Hamilton has also apologised to Mercedes for his Monaco mistake he is now eager to atone for.

The Brackley-based team were on course for a one-two finish following their qualifying lock-out of the front row.

For the opening 29 laps all was going to plan as Rosberg led Hamilton until an accident involving Felipe Massa brought out the safety car for the first time this season.

It prompted a flurry of pit stops, with the Mercedes duo the last to change tyres and with Hamilton the loser as he dropped from second to fourth behind Red Bull duo Vettel and Mark Webber.

In order to avoid double stacking directly behind Rosberg, the 28-year-old slowed and tried to maintain a gap he believed would help, only for it to backfire.

"It wasn't the team's fault, it was my mistake. I was told to have a six-second gap and perhaps I had a bit more than six seconds, so I lost out massively."