Hamilton welcomes more moderate stewards in 2010

Lewis Hamilton has contradicted Martin Brundle's claim that F1 stewards this year are being too lenient.

Former driver and British commentator Brundle said on Tuesday that Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton should have been penalised rather than merely reprimanded for their wheel-to-wheel pitlane stoush in China.

Brundle also said Jenson Button should have received a penalty for unduly slowing behind the safety car in Shanghai.

But after several years of harsh judgements from the stewards at grands prix, Hamilton said he welcomes the seemingly more hands-off approach of 2010.

"Racing stewards this year have been the best that I have probably experienced in Formula One, I think," the Briton said at a sponsor event at Kyalami in South Africa.

Despite claims by his fellow drivers that the manoeuvres were dangerous, Hamilton was warned but not penalised for weaving in front of Vitaly Petrov in Malaysia two and a half weeks ago.

"More racing has been out there. You know there are drivers who are (now) not afraid to have a real battle with someone without having the worry of receiving the penalty," added Hamilton.