Mercedes racer Lewis Hamilton has apologised to former team McLaren for what he describes as "doing a Jenson" at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

One of the talking points from the race in Sepang was the 28-year-old's moment of confusion where he attempted to pit in the garage of his ex-employers before eventually moving into the arms of the Silver Arrows.

Hamilton, whose old teammate Jenson Button committed a similar act in 2011, admits that his error was a matter of old habit.

"I just did a Jenson [Button]. He did that a couple of years ago," Hamilton said.

"For so many years I used to drive into the McLaren pitstop and I don't know how I got it wrong, but a big apology to my team."

Hamilton finished third in Malaysia.