Lewis Hamilton insists the chorus of boos he heard following his Italian Grand Prix victory was "acceptable" and not something that offends him.
Hamilton spoiled Ferrari's chance of securing a first 'home' win since 2010 in front of the dedicated tifosi after he and Sebastian Vettel collided at the start, before Hamilton charged after pole sitter Kimi Raikkonen, eventually passing him to secure victory and extend his championship lead.
The Mercedes driver was booed heavily during the podium, which was criticised heavily on social media, but Hamilton said he has no problem with it.
"I think it's acceptable. It's done in every sport," said the Briton. "It definitely happens in football and here [in Monza] more than other [races] from what I've noticed. But it is the way it is.
"For me, it is easy, in the arena that we are in it is easy to allow it to get to you and allow it to have an impact on your life but it is also quite easy to harness it and use it. That gave me so much motivation today. I welcome it and if they want to keep doing it, it just empowers me."
Asked if he's offended by it, Hamilton added: "No. There's nothing to get offended by. I just keep smiling. I know I've got those individuals out there who travel the world to support me. I know they are there and I'm proud of them because when they are in a big sea of red and there's the booing and then there's one flag, you notice the one guy standing there with the flag or the kid waving.
"You can imagine being surrounded by that and having the heat of it, because all the eyes are on him or her. I really just appreciate that and respect it so much. So I really tried to point out to them and just know that I acknowledge them and appreciate them."
F1's Ross Brawn also addressed the issue, which he admitted was more prevalent in Italy, but he too saw no problem, insisting it's not done in malice.
"The vast majority of the Monza crowd is there to see Ferrari win, irrespective of which driver it is," added Brawn. "That’s why, occasionally, rivals are booed. I know it’s not part of Formula 1 culture but it is for a crowd that shows its support in a completely different way to others around the world, as there is no other country where team counts for more than driver.
"As long as the support is correct, as was the case once again in Monza this weekend, it’s fine, especially as one should not underestimate a driver’s satisfaction at winning away from home. I’m sure Lewis felt just that on Sunday afternoon."
