MONTE CARLO, Monaco (AFP) — Aggrieved McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton claimed he was being victimised after being called to face the race stewards at the Monaco Grand Prix yesterday.

The 26-year-old Briton, who finished sixth in a chaotic contest riddled with accidents and stoppages, said the way he had been treated this season was “an absolute… joke” and described his treatment as “stupid”.

Defending drivers’ champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull wonyesterday’s classic 78-lap race round the Mediterranean harbour for the first time to open up a massive lead in the championship.

Hamilton expressed his annoyance after being punished during the race for one alleged misdemeanour and then summoned to appear before the stewards for a second.

“It’s an absolute… joke,” he told the BBC. “I’ve been to see the stewards five times in six races this season.”

Asked why that was the case, Hamilton said: “Maybe it’s because I’m black! That’s what (British comic character) Ali G says.”

During the early part of the race, Hamilton was given a ‘drive-through’ penalty for a brush with Brazilian Felipe Massa of Ferrari.

He was then called in again by the stewards after a late clash with Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado of Williams, as he passed him in the closing stages for which he received a 20-second penalty which did not affect his final placing. Hamilton said he felt he had done nothing wrong in both cases.