Hamilton surprised by lack of Ferrari team orders

Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is surprised that Ferrari has not used team orders often this season given the team's history with prioritising one driver over the other. Hamilton benefitted himself from team orders last weekend to take victory in Russia over teammate Valtteri Bottas.

Following Mercedes' controversial but understandable use of team orders in Sochi, Hamilton was questioned further on the topic and admitted that he had expected Ferrari to back title rival Sebastian Vettel much more aggressively than they have done this season.

"We used team orders in that one race, we worked as a team in others," Hamilton told media ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

"There have been times where, for example, Valtteri has not been in the top five and there's been a Ferrari, me and a Ferrari and the Ferraris work together. They stop one car to try and push me into a stop.

"So they have worked as a team in certain parts of the year but at crucial points like in Monza they haven't. Is that a surprise? Yeah, because they have done that in the past and why they would change that, it's not my problem."

Hamilton also admitted that the race in Russia was very much still on his mind after the controversial decision by Mercedes to allow him to win the race over teammate Bottas, who had controlled the weekend up to that point.

"Since the moment it happened and until today it's been something I've thought about," Hamilton said.

"I don't think you get your mind around it (but) you just have to accept it and move forwards.

"I am definitely split just like 50 percent of the people. On one side, I feel one way about it and on the other side I feel another way about it. I was at the factory on Monday and I am sure 50 percent of the guys at the factory have the same vibe but generally the support was quite amazing.

"Collectively as a team we've stayed quite united through the whole experience. We all did a toast to Valtteri at the factory the other day, 900 people or whatever it is where standing there. It was pretty awesome."