Lewis Hamilton has defended his decision to unlap himself against Sebastian Vettel in the German Grand Prix, despite being labelled "stupid" by the world champion.

The McLaren driver went past Vettel in the race on Sunday even though he was over a lap behind the German but Hamilton believes that his rivals would have done the same thing.

Hamilton said: "People have all had opinions about it but at the end of the day it doesn't matter whether I'm first or last, I'll race my heart out wherever I am. Even if I know at the back of my mind I can't get any points, I'm paid to push at all times.

"I would have thought that people expect that from Fernando (Alonso), people would expect that from Sebastian, and that's what I did. I felt quite relaxed after the race knowing that I did.

"If I'd given up and just poodled around then I would expect to be fired."

Hamilton is currently fifth in the race for the world title.