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Lewis Hamilton confesses: I was told to lie by McLaren
David Smith03.04.09
An emotional Lewis Hamilton insisted today that he was told to lie to stewards by his McLaren team before he was disqualified from the Australian Grand Prix.
The world champion, who was close to tears, claimed it was the “worst thing I've experienced in my life” as he apologised for his part in the incident. He said sporting director David Ryan had told him what to say to the race officials and maintained he is not a liar.
Hamilton was excluded from the Melbourne classification yesterday after it was determined that he and Ryan had deliberately misled stewards in their investigation into an over-taking manoeuvre involving Toyota's Jarno Trulli towards the end of the race.
Ryan has, subsequently, been suspended by McLaren and Hamilton still faces the possibility of further sanctions from the FIA, which could include suspension or disqualification from the championship.
“In Melbourne, I had a great race and as soon as I got out of the car I did TV interviews at the back of the garage and straight away I told
them what had happened during the race,”
Hamilton said.
“Straight after that we were requested to appear before the stewards and whilst waiting for the stewards, I was instructed and misled by the team manager to withhold information and that's what I did.
“I sincerely apologise to the stewards for wasting their time but I'm very sorry for the situation and for my team and for Dave, because he's been a good member of the team for many years and I don't think that it was his intention. He's a good guy.
“When I went into the meeting, I had no intention [to lie]. I just wanted to tell my story. I was misled and that's just how it went.
“I would like to say a big sorry to all my fans. I am not a liar and I'm not a dishonest person. I'm a team player and every time I've been informed to do something, I've done it.
“This time I realise that it's a huge mistake and I'm learning from it.”
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh is also believed to be considering his position after what has been a disastrous start to the season.
Hamilton, 24, was only 11th fastest in this morning's first practice for Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix and was also fined £1,150 for exceeding the 60mph pit-lane speed limit by 5mph.
The performance of his car has only added to his sense of torture at the events surrounding his disqualification and Hamilton felt that he owed it to his fans to explain his side of the story.
“This is not an easy thing for anyone to do, to put their hand up and realise that they're in the wrong,” he added. “But the fact is I was in the wrong and I felt that I owed it to my fans to let them know.
“I was misled but that was the situation and that's why I'm here.
“I didn't have time to think about what I was going to do. I went in and I did it and felt very uncomfortable and I think that the stewards could see that. I've never felt so bad.”
Whitmarsh said that Ryan, who has been with the team for more than 30 years, had been suspended for a “serious error of judgement during the hearings”. He added: “It is a very sad day for the team as we have suspended our long-standing sporting director Dave Ryan.
“He has been with the team for 35 years. I've known him personally for 20 years and anyone who knows him knows that he is a dedicated and hard-working individual.”
While agreeing that Hamilton had not been truthful himself during the hearing, Whitmarsh implied that the driver had followed the lead of Ryan when meeting with the stewards.
“I think that Lewis was not entirely truthful but we have spoken to Davey, who was the senior member of the team, and they were trying to deal with the situation and they got it wrong,” he said. “Davey was responsible for what happened and so I took the decision this morning.”
Reader views (24)
Ah The Nuremburg Defence for LH. I was only obeying orders! Had it been any other driver they would be about to get a 20 point penalty. The LH brand is permanently damaged and it's his own fault.
- Antoine Desmoines, London, UK
Wherever Hamilton goes there is trouble and controversy. I'm really sad to see a loyal and long standing member of the McLaren team made a scapegoat for what is probably Hamiltons doing. Let's face it, they couldn't sack their star driver could they, shame really because as far as I'm concerned he doesn't belong in F1. They should have kept Alonso... a much better driver by a country mile.
- Evelyn, Earley, UK
Good grief, if Hamilton had been a labour minister you lot would have been baying for his head.
Hamilton is a liar, no excuse, suspend him and Mclaren for this season, they won't do it again
- Kerry, Purley
The vultures are circling.
Just listen to yourselves and your sanctimoninious drivel. Oh how we like to build people up to knock them down.
Maybe half of you added to the bile and racism on a website set up towards the end of last season to derail Hamilton's title push?
- Roy Naldo, Hornchurch, UK
I don't like the guy, he's too corporate for me, I want racing drivers to go drinking and whoring one night and then race the following day....but back to the point!
He's a UK sporting champion and deserves our support, other countries don't kick their champions when they're down, only we do! Jealousy maybe?
Me thinks if the guy was white, there certainly wouldn't be this much hostility against him.
- Decency, London, UK
He made a mistake. He should have said the truth. Perhaps suspend him for a few races or heavily fine him but he should not be thrown out F1.
I am a huge fan of Hamilton and always will be. Keep your head up.
- Abigail, London
If you look at the way McLaren have been treated by the FIA over the years, in comparison to other teams, there is definitely an anti mcLaren bias. I'm not saying what they did was acceptable, but the punishment should be the same for all teams. That includes Ferrari, Guido!
- Bruce Edwards, London
"When you work for any organisation you have to do what you are told"
My word, what nonsense. Lewis Hamilton is THE most powerful man in the Mclaren F1 team, as well as a grown man. If he didn't want to go along with it, if he thought they would end up with the proverbial egg all over, then he should have said so. If Ron Dennis, Martin Whitmarsh or Dave Ryan have a problem with that, then I'm sure BMW or Ferrari would welcome him with open arms. It's great to be loyal, but remember you don't look good by making someone else look bad when you share culpability.
As someone that has a high regard for his skill and talent but has put the boot into Lewis Hamilton, I take offence at any notion that it is because of his race. As a person of mixed race myself I do hold him up to a higher standard, precisely because of his background, when it comes to being a role model. He lied. He didn't have to. He got caught and punished. LH lovers, get over it.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County
I am not an F1 fan, but I have seen LH many times on television and he never seems overtly arrogant to me. He is successful and has a great degree of self confidence that result in him saying self confident things - that's why he is a winner - people said the same of Schuemacher.
He is the youngest F1 champion and is naive in many ways (see above). He has been in the safe hands of Mclaren for years and so he does as he is told as they have always served him well. What he did was silly and will remind him and others that they not only have a responsibility to the team but also to the integrity of sport.
The FIA do seem to be unusually harsh on Lewis Hamilton though - I am a non-fan, it just seems that way to me.
- Jon, london,England
Great start to the new season. After blaming his team for his gaff, I hope he doesn't expect them to renew his contract when it runs out! Silly boy.
- Geraldine, London
No one is disputing his talent or his driving skills. He knowingly misled the stewards.
And employees do not mislead an investigation because the organisation said so. If someone told him to say something he doesn't belive in, he should have disagreed and said no.
- Kr, London, UK
This is amazing. Is Hamilton a child? How can any responsible adult say he was misled into telling a lie? He is behaving like the politicians. When found out, trying to wriggle out of it. My respect for him, I am afraid, is gone forever.
- Natarajan, New Malden
Mc Laren and Hamilton are true cheaters.....they started by copying the Ferrari car a couple of years ago and they havent lost the habit....
Hamilton is trying to justify himself by blaming the manager and it's pathetic. This is the (lucky and undeserving) F1 World Champion, not a cab driver (with all the due respect). He should have the attributes, the honesty, the charisma to think independently and tell the stewards the truth.....otherwise send him back to primary school and teach him what sport and its values are...
I hope he won't be disqualified for the whole season, as I want to see him and his team lose the title on the track and not in the court....
- Guido, London
he has been found out poor loser
- Arthur Ruse, dover uk
This to me is Bull! Totally agree with Julius, LH has definatly had to work harder than anybody else to get to the top of his sport. When you work for any organisation you have to do what you are told, ask any politician or employee. LH haters are now rolling out of the woodwork now, Formula 1 is a very difficult and racist sporting world just look at how many black or Asian (Indian drivers) are in Formula 1. Of course the usual "they might not be good enough crap" will be mooted, would like to see how the wingers let me sit down with my can of beer types would cope with pressure to succeed plus colour. LH will bounce back.
- James, London
Well said!!! Julius Nuga I agree, thank god their is someone out there with the common sense to see what the media is trying to do to Lewis Hamilton, I think LH is an amazing talented driver and also a great role model for young men, Jensen Button doesnt even come close to LH.
LONG LIVE LEWIS HAMILTON...DON'T LET THE MEDIA / OR THE FIA BREAK U DOWN, STAY STRONG.
- Mchel, London
Who cares???? this so called sport,where the car is the star. is totally rubbish.more overtaking is done in the burger que
- Phil, croxley
>Schuey tried to run Damon Hill off the road?
Yes Neil M, and your point is?
Hamilton misled the stewards. This is not in dispute. He knew he was lying (misleading if you prefer) as he was doing so. This is not in dispute. What part of that leads you to believe he does not lie or cheat? Bizarre.
Superb talent and skill aside, he should be spending the rest of this season as a spectator, not for the lie itself, but for having another driver effectively disqualified, even if this was an unintended consequence.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County
I am genuinely mystified at the treatment of Lewis Hamilton by the FIA. He does not lie or cheat; he is at the top of the racing profession and is still a little green; we all make mistakes and I think there's a tinge of unpleasantness about all of this. He is the outstanding racing driver of his generation and beats Schumacher hands down: remember when Schuey tried to run Damon Hill off the road?
- Neil M., london uk,
No Steve , your in good company.Hamilton has always been Arrogant , Flash and full of Controversy , but he can add the Title of Liar now to his CV. Very Impresive !!
Role Model ? I dont think so.
- Gaza, london England
The press are having their day, those who hate the guts of Lewis Hamilton are rejoicing. Lewis Hamilton was a hero last two seasons and was the best ever F1 driver that the UK ever produced. Now he is being vilified. Perhaps it will please a lot of them to see Jensen Button to win the title at the end of the season because LH's face doesn't fit well- something for you lot to think about. He has worked very hard and I still believe he will be champion at the end of the season.
- Julius Nuga, Abbots Langley UK
Did'nt they get caught cheating last year as well.Thank God Motor GP starts soon.
- Anon, leicestershire
Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke.Am I the only person who doesn't like the smarmy bigheaded Hamilton?
That should knock him down a peg or two.
- Steve, London
It's not as though he hasn't got form on cheating.
- Albert Swift, Aberdeen, Scotland
