Hamilton apologizes for post-race Monaco outburst

(CNN) -- McLaren's Lewis Hamilton apologized Tuesday for his angry outburst against fellow drivers Felipe Massa and Pastor Maldonado after the Monaco Grand Prix.

Hamilton collided with Ferrari's Massa and Maldonado, who drives for Williams, at separate points during Sunday's incident-packed race which was won by defending world champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany.

The 26-year-old Briton was given a 20-second drive through penalty for each offense, the second for his rash overtaking move on Venezuela's Maldonado, coming retrospectively after the race ended.

Both Massa and Maldonado were forced to pull out after the incidents, while Hamilton finished a distant sixth.

But an angry Hamilton blasted both the stewards for handing down the penalties and labeled both Massa and Maldonado as "ridiculous".

Hamilton used his Twitter blog to attempt to make it up with his fellow drivers, saying: "Hey guys. I wanted to apologize 4 last weekends performance & also my comments after, I never meant to offend no1," it read.

"I would also like to say thank u 2 everyone on here, 4 their positive messages & also 2 the angry messages. I can respect them both.

"2 Massa & Maldonado, with the greatest respect I apologise if I offended u. Both of u r fantastic drivers who I regard highly.

"2 my fans lost & my fans won, I wish u nothing but love & happiness. God Bless u. Onwards & upwards, Montreal next. Lewis."

Hamilton, who now trails Vettel by 58 points in the title race, was clearly frustrated by Sunday's events and used an interview with BBC television to give vent to his feelings.

He complained he had been called before the stewards in five of the six races this season and described the situation as "a 'frickin joke'".

He also suggested that racism may have played a part, adding "maybe because I am black!"

He later apologized to the stewards and said his remarks about racism were meant as a joke.