During the weekend of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, an Australian minister has lashed out at the behaviour of team McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton, using tough language to criticise the conduct of the young Briton.
Lewis Hamilton was arrested on Friday night as he was driving away from the circuit to his hotel. Police spotted smoke from the burning tires of his Mercedes road car, and the former World Champion is expected to be charged with improper use of a vehicle on public roads.
According to the Telegraph newspaper, Tim Pallas, the Victorian roads minister, called Hamilton a d******* after the incident.
The minister made the comment on the day that Victoria launched a new road safety campaign called "Don't be a d*******”.
While launching the campaign, Mr Pallas was asked whether Lewis Hamilton met the description of a dangerous driver.
He initially called him "a very silly young man", but when pressed by the media he caved in.
"OK, I'll say it. He's a d*******’, he said.
Australian Mark Webber, the team Red Bull Racing driver, has defended his fellow competitor, saying Victoria was a nanny state, with excessively strict driving rules.
Lewis Hamilton was arrested on Friday night as he was driving away from the circuit to his hotel. Police spotted smoke from the burning tires of his Mercedes road car, and the former World Champion is expected to be charged with improper use of a vehicle on public roads.
According to the Telegraph newspaper, Tim Pallas, the Victorian roads minister, called Hamilton a d******* after the incident.
The minister made the comment on the day that Victoria launched a new road safety campaign called "Don't be a d*******”.
While launching the campaign, Mr Pallas was asked whether Lewis Hamilton met the description of a dangerous driver.
He initially called him "a very silly young man", but when pressed by the media he caved in.
"OK, I'll say it. He's a d*******’, he said.
Australian Mark Webber, the team Red Bull Racing driver, has defended his fellow competitor, saying Victoria was a nanny state, with excessively strict driving rules.