1996 world champion Damon Hill claims to have received "hate mail" following the decision to hand Michael Schumacher a 20s penalty at the end of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.

The Englishman, who enjoyed many a legendary battle with the German in the mid-90s, most famously when they clashed at Adelaide in 1994, a notorious incident which cost Hill the title, was one of four race stewards at the Principality. Under the new FIA President, Jean Todt, one steward at each race is a former driver, a means of giving an experienced driver's perspective on decisions.

Hill admits that when Schumacher walked into the stewards room at the end of the race the German gave a wry smile as his former nemesis prepared to listen to the evidence.

The four stewards subsequently decided that the German had broken the rules by overtaking Fernando Alonso at the final corner, hitting the Mercedes driver with a 20s penalty that dropped him from sixth to twelfth.

While the German team has said that it will appeal the decision which has divided fans and appears to be stimulating more interest that Mark Webber's superb drive to victory, Hill admits that his role has caused problems.

"The hate mail has started," he told the Daily Telegraph. "I know most people will believe me when I say I acted entirely properly and correctly but inevitably I have already received some stinging emails accusing me of prejudice."

The Englishman admits that he felt "uncomfortable" in his role and believes that rather than serving as stewards, former drivers should act as advisors.

"I was slightly uncomfortable being put in that position of being a full FIA representative," he said. "I imagined I would be there providing driver insight to the stewards, who would then make the decisions. My expertise is as a driver rather than a lawmaker or interpreter of regulations.

"Partly, of course, my discomfort was because we were called to make a ruling on an incident involving Michael. And there was definitely a wry smile when he walked into the stewards' room. I thought it might be more appropriate for drivers to act as consultants to the stewards rather than as stewards themselves."