HOCKENHEIM — Red Bull team chief Christian Horner has admitted that there was nothing wrong with Lewis Hamilton's controversial passing move on Sebastian Vettel during Sunday's German Grand Prix. McLaren driver Hamilton, who was at the back of the field after suffering a puncture at the start of the race, came out of the pits with fresh tires and passed Red Bull driver Vettel, who was scrapping with eventual race-winner Fernando Alonso of Ferrari for the lead. German Vettel later labelled the Englishman ‘stupid' and suggested his actions had cost him a chance at winning the race. However, while Horner defended Vettel's comments, he accepted that Hamilton was within his right to overtake him. “Obviously, drivers' emotions run high," said Horner. “It was an unusual situation because usually when you lap a car, it doesn't come back past you. But Lewis was on fresh tires. “In Seb's opinion, it affected his race and it did affect his race. But it's within the rules and he (Hamilton) did nothing wrong and arguably helped his teammate." Horner did admit, however, that the situation had been frustrating for the team as it enabled Spaniard Alonso to extend his lead in the race. He said: “If you look at the rules, I don't think that there is anything to say that a car can't unlap itself. “It's frustrating that it cost us a second and it's unfortunate that he didn't unlap himself from Fernando as well. “If it had cost Fernando a second as well, then it would have negated the disadvantage of being unlapped. But he was entitled to do it. “We probably dropped about a second when Lewis unlapped himself, which was frustrating. But when you are fighting for hundredths and tenths of a second, that's the way it goes sometimes." Ferrari hails Alonso form Alonso is at the peak of his powers and driving better than ever this year, Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali said Monday after the Spaniard's third win of the season. The double world champion, who is seeking to become the youngest triple champion in Formula One history, led from start to finish at Hockenheim Sunday, resisting sustained pressure from rivals Jenson Button and defending champion Sebastian Vettel. Button came second while Vettel was demoted to fifth. Domenicali said: “Considering that the race was 67 qualifying laps, it shows that Fernando is at the peak of his performance. He is in a great moment and we will try to keep this momentum for as long as possible. “It's true, as Fernando said, that I believe that we still do not have the fastest car. If we had the fastest car then it would be easier to win. We need to improve the car." For his part, Alonso said he did not feel that Ferrari's F2012 car was the quickest of the field and warned his team that both the Red Bull and McLaren teams were as strong or faster. — Agencies
