By GMM

Mercedes-Benz racing boss Norbert Haug has expressed a clear vote of confidence in Lewis Hamilton, after the McLaren driver's embarrassing pitlane crash in Canada two weeks ago.

23-year-old Hamilton was the subject of fierce external criticism following his Montreal gaffe, which earned him a ten-position grid penalty for the French grand prix this weekend.

"Everyone makes mistakes," Haug is quoted as saying by the German news agency DPA, "and in Canada he paid the price.

"We support him fully and will continue to do so, but he doesn't require any motivation pills," the German added.

Haug's backing follows Hamilton's admission on BBC Radio this week that he is feeling the weight of the pressure on him this year.

"The sport is fun, but there's a way you have to learn to enjoy it," he told the Five Live programme.

"There's so much pressure, and I can't begin to explain how much pressure I have on my shoulders.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself, and when you don't succeed it doesn't feel so great," Hamilton added.

"But these are character-building days and the days that make you stronger."