Lewis Hamilton flies through air with greatest of unease in bizarre stage show

But today, he gave a few superhero manoeuvres 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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The 23-year-old made a rather awkward theatrical debut in the historical theatre show Troya, which saw him dangling above the stage on wires.

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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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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"I'm not Superman but I believe I have the ability to win a world championship.

"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."