Lewis Hamilton has escaped more serious punishment for his antics two days prior to the Australian GP.
The 2008 World Champion was caught driving in an ‘over-exuberant’ manner as he left the circuit in March of this year. He was said to have performed burnouts and fishtail stunts in his borrowed Mercedes.
His actions have resulted in £288 (A$500) fine, after his lawyer, on Hamilton’s behalf, pleaded guilty to ‘improper use of a motor vehicle.’
The Brit wasn’t in court to hear the verdict as he is gearing up for the Belgium GP in just three days time. The McLaren driver had previously sent two letters to the court explaining why.
Magistrate Clive Alsop, said of Hamilton’s behaviour: “This isn’t about somebody’s character, this is about somebody in a responsible position behaving like a hoon. It doesn’t show the general application of the level of responsibility and maturity that he must use every day on the race track.”
His borrowed Mercedes, which was impounded after the incident, was subsequently auctioned off for over £120,000, well above the asking price of a new car, with over £11,000 of that total going to charity.
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