Lauda backtracks on 'Hamilton destroyed hotel room' claims

Hours after claiming that Lewis Hamilton smashed up his dressing room following a crash in Baku qualifying, Mercedes chairman Niki Lauda went back on his own words, saying that the reigning world champion did not in any way damaged the luxurious hotel room.

Speaking to an Austrian television, the Formula One legend revealed that he was there when Hamilton took his frustration out in his private room in the team's motor-home.

He said that three-time F1 champion Hamilton eventually paid for the damages caused to the hotel room, Sport24 reported.

Lauda also dismissed Hamilton's claims that he had buried the hatchet with teammate Nico Rosberg, saying that "it was just for show".

Hamilton finished fifth in Baku while Rosberg went on to win the race last month.

However, Mercedes issued a statement on behalf of Niki Lauda, insisting that the chairman's comments were taken out of the proportion and that he regrets any misunderstandings caused by his statements, Sport24 reported.

Lauda further said that Hamilton did not lie about his relationship with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Earlier, Mercedes chief executive Toto Wolff severely censured his both drivers after they crashed into one another again in Spielberg and warned that team orders could be imposed in order to prevent more self-inflicted setbacks in the championship.