Lewis Hamilton hit back at his critics yesterday ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix, declaring: "I'm not Superman."

But today, he gave a few superhero moves his best shot.

With his sponsors apparently pulling the strings, the 23-year-old McLaren put aside his struggle on the track to take to the air in a bizarre appearance with a local dance troupe in Istanbul.

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Look, no hands: Lewis Hamilton makes a bizarre appearance in Troya, a historical theatre show in Turkey today

If the driver looked out of place, his outfit most certainly was - his heavily branded fire suit not particularly fitting of a play that covers 3,000 years of Anatolian history.

Even Lewis himself branded the performance "a bit weird" after it ended, according to guests.

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Keep him dangling: Lewis tried to wave away his awkwardness during the show

Incoming: Lewis put his superhero moves to the test

It was at best a peculiar interlude for the star, who is facing the biggest test of his fledgling Formula One career after falling nine points behind world champion Kimi Raikonnen in the drivers' standings.

Hamilton won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix but his highest finish since has been third as Ferrari have begun to dominate.

"A few people have questioned my commitment, my ability to drive," Hamilton said earlier this week.

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Costume drama: the cast may have been appropriately dressed in historical outfits, but Lewis added a distinctly modern touch with his heavily branded fire suit

"Everybody makes mistakes. I'm sure Nelson Mandela, at 90-odd, still makes mistakes. That's life.

"What people say about my performances does not really bother me - what does concern me is doing the job to the best of my abilities.

"Once we get everything right, our car is as quick as any.

He concluded: "Then it is down to the driver to pull out extra bits of time. I think I can do that."

A cut below: even Lewis branded his appearance 'a bit weird'