Lewis Hamilton is as much to blame for the Mercedes’ Monaco GP error

Lewis Hamilton played a crucial role in the disastrous decision to pit in Monte Carlo, according to radio messages heard by Mirror Sport.

Until now the blame has been squarely taken by the Mercedes strategy team and their management.

But Mirror Sport has learned the team initially ordered Hamilton to STAY OUT when the safety car was deployed.

But they changed their minds when he radioed: “Are you sure it’s the best thing to stay out ? These tyres have lost all their temperature and everyone else is going to be on [faster] options now.”

The reply was: “Ok, copy, copy. Box. Box.”

Last night a team spokesman said: “Lewis had his input but we make the decision and we got the calculations wrong. We win as a team and lose as a team.”