There is a delicious irony in the fact that after weeks of calling on Mercedes to throw all its efforts behind Lewis Hamilton's bid for the title, the (mainly British) media is now aghast at the possibility of Ferrari adopting the self-same policy for Sebastian Vettel.

Though the German insists there were no team orders at play in Monaco, quite contrary to what Raikkonen's post-race demeanour was telling us, Lewis Hamilton believes the Italian team has already made its decision.

"It's clear to me that Ferrari have chosen their number one driver," he told reporters, shortly after finishing seventh, allowing Vettel to stretch his title lead to 25 points and also Mercedes teammate to close to within 29.

"They are pushing everything to make sure Sebastian will maximise on all of his weekends," the Briton continued. "It's very hard for the leading car to get jumped by the second car unless the team decide to favour the other car, so that is very clear."

Despite a disappointing weekend, Hamilton insists that things weren't as bad as some are claiming.

"I really am happy," he said. "Of course ultimately I lost a lot of points today but looking at it as one race, and as a whole today, I came here starting thirteenth. I could have been in a crash, could have damaged the car, blown an engine, come away with no points. I think I managed it nicely and as professionally as I could.

"Of course I can't afford another weekend like this, at the going rate with the Ferraris quick," he admitted "But because you can't afford something doesn't mean it is not going to happen. There is no point dwelling on the fact that you cannot afford it. We have to work collectively as a team more than ever before to beat the Ferraris. Who knows what is going to happen?"

Of course, days after Hamilton claimed he would not be resorting to mind games, this couldn't possibly be a move to cause unrest at Maranello or, by the same token, send a signal to his own team that now is the time to get behind his bid for a fourth title.

Check out our Sunday gallery from Monaco, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by -ape-, 31/05/2017 8:46

"Formerfan you are funny, you came with Alonzo.
Don't behave as a grumpy old man ,.enjoy F1
And yes all !!!! F1 drivers complain like kids now and then , even Nige ,Senna and Prost did.
Cheerio "

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2. Posted by F1 Yank, 30/05/2017 19:05

"It would have been nice to hear all the radio transmissions leading up to VET's pitstop or Ferrari's team meeting prior to the race."

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3. Posted by FormerF1Fan, 30/05/2017 17:52

"testa rossa, this is just more kids' playground stuff. It's pretty grim if the only way to make Hamilton look better is by pointing the finger at someone else. Surely great champions should shine in the light of their own acheivements, and not have their dads go and whinge to the FIA about their son's teamate getting his own back for their wee lad not following team orders on wo should pit stop first. Oh, and how many of Alonso's "transgressions" led to rule changes? "

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4. Posted by testa rossa, 30/05/2017 17:02

" formerfan . LMFAO
Remember your little boy Alonsa,
Was only beating Schu in a superior Renault with (illegal) mass damper
Crying when beaten by Rooki Ham.
Blackmailing Ron D.
Often he was crying that his team mate Massa had to let him pass in the Ferrari
Showing his fist to Petrov when he was beaten fairly by that guy and so losing a WDC.
Part of criminal plot to win in Singapore.
So... who is the spoit brat
"

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5. Posted by FormerF1Fan, 30/05/2017 8:29

"testa rosa, true Hamilto disciple and done in true Hamilton style - by playground style finger-pointing and name-calling."

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6. Posted by testa rossa, 29/05/2017 19:43

"formerf1fan , ha ha , you of course are not a Lewis hater . Kiss kiss"

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7. Posted by FormerF1Fan, 29/05/2017 17:49

"In retrospect, it was probably not a good idea to gift Hamilton his first championship in Brazil. He has consistently acted like a spoilt kid who will stop at nothing to get waht he wants. Not so Alonso, who beat Schumacker fair and square in an inferior car and caused the German to retire. How many "Anti-Hamilton" rule changes have there been? For heaven's sake, man, accept it squarely on the chin that you got thrashed fairly and it was your own fault. Not because the winners used team orders to beat you, suggesting that otherwise you wouldn't have been beaten. Spoilt kid."

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8. Posted by airman1, 29/05/2017 14:15

"And Mercedes will most certainly push for equal treatment between Hamilton and Botas? Right. "

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Hamilton: Ferrari has chosen its number one

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