Lewis Hamilton is setting a bad example as F1 world champion with his behaviour, according to Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez.

The Mexican remains angered by the gesture the Mercedes driver gave him during the Hungarian GP after being held up by the backmarker while fighting for victory against Nico Rosberg.

"He must be aware that people are looking up to him and if he wants to give a good example this is not the way to do it," an unhappy Gutierrez told Sky Sports News after arriving in Hockenheim for the German Grand Prix.

"It's also not a good thing to criticise an opponent who is trying to do his best and trying to do the safest thing. He must be aware he has a car which is much more superior to my car.

Image: Gutierrez took exception to Hamilton's abusive hand gesture

"But for him being a world champion it is even more important in his position to give the right example - not only to kids, but to the world."


Although Hamilton hasn't apologised for the gesture, Sky Sports has been told that the world champion has sought to make contact with Gutierrez since Sunday's race at the Hungaroring.

"Being a world champion doesn't give you the right to be disrespectful to your competitors," tweeted Gutierrez directly at Hamilton immediately after the Budapest event.

The German Grand Prix starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up under way from 11.30am.