Lewis Hamilton fined after admitting reckless driving in Australia

The opprobrium was not shared by the paddock, who largely dismissed the incident and closed ranks behind Hamilton, with Webber in particular saying his rival had been a victim of Australia’s “nanny state”. Hamilton, though, immediately owned up to a “silly” mistake and his lawyer, Sandip Mukerjea, told the court on Tuesday that his client, who acts as an ambassador for the governing body’s global road safety campaign and has given speeches in Westminster on the subject, had suffered “embarrassment, humiliation and distress” as a result of the episode. Hamilton’s contrition clearly played a large part in Tuesday’s lenient sentence. Magistrate Clive Alsop said he would not convict the 25 year-old because he was ashamed and remorseful, it was his first offence and he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. However, he added that Hamilton’s behaviour was unacceptable. “This isn’t about somebody’s character, this is about somebody in a responsible position behaving like a hoon,” Alsop said using the local vernacular for a “boy racer”. Hamilton is just relieved the whole saga is finally over. “I’ve made clear throughout that I’ve regretted my actions in this matter, and I’m pleased that it has now drawn to a close,” he said. The McLaren driver is more preoccupied with getting his car back on level terms with the Red Bull. Spa, with its long straights and uphill sections, has been touted as a track which could suit the extra horsepower of McLaren’s Mercedes engine as well as their unparalleled F-Duct, the aerodynamic device which confers extra straight-line speed and which every other team has tried to copy with varying degrees of success. Webber, though, is not afraid. “I expect we can do well there, whether it’s as well as I did in Budapest is a question for everyone, but I know our team is ready,” he said. Meanwhile, former world champion Nigel Mansell has been confirmed on the stewards’ panel for this weekend’s race, the second time he will have performed the role this year. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.phpFive Filters featured article: “Peace Envoy” Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent.

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Posted by admin 24 August 2010

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