24/08/2010
NEWS STORY
Lewis Hamilton has been handed a $500 AUD (£290) fine for his 'hooning' antics as he left the Albert Park circuit earlier this year.
However, the Englishman, who did not appear in court, avoided a conviction for a charge of driving a vehicle causing loss of traction.
The charge relates to an incident on March 26 when Hamilton was leaving Albert Park in a borrowed Mercedes. The Englishman was stopped by police after he performed a number of burnouts and fishtails, later describing the incident as "over exuberance".
Sandip Mukerjea, the lawyer acting on the McLaren driver's behalf told the court that the 2008 world champion had publicly apologised for the incident and had subsequently suffered "embarrassment, humiliation and distress" following reports in the media.
Mr Mukerjea also revealed that Hamilton had sent two letters to the court explaining that due to this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix he would be unable to attend the hearing.
Magistrate Clive Alsop said that Hamilton is a role model for young people, therefore it is expected that he should behave responsibly. "This is about somebody in a responsible position behaving like a hoon," he said.