Lewis Hamilton

In 2022, the FIA tightened enforcement of rules prohibiting certain jewellery on track. Hamilton publicly challenged the measure and said he felt targeted, notably in Miami. At Singapore, wearing his nose piercing prompted stewards to examine his case.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Hamilton shared Instagram content featuring Bill Gates and raising questions about COVID-19 vaccines, prompting accusations of amplifying an anti-vaccine message to a very large audience.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Directly implicated

Discussing Formula One's expansion into new countries, Hamilton called India a 'poor place' and described feeling conflicted on seeing an expensive circuit surrounded by poverty. His remarks prompted a strong reaction in India.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

At a ceremony, Hamilton described his journey by referring to his dream of escaping the 'slums' of Stevenage, where he grew up. The term prompted objections from local officials and residents who considered it insulting.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

The Paradise Papers revealed that an arrangement through the Isle of Man enabled Hamilton to reclaim VAT paid on a private jet, under a structure involving leasing the aircraft for business use. Experts cited in the investigation considered such an arrangement potentially questionable or abusive depending on its actual use.

State of the evidence

Documented

Hamilton posted a video asking his young nephew why he was wearing a princess dress and saying 'boys don't wear princess dresses'. The post was criticised for humiliating the child and reinforcing gender stereotypes.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Personally implicated

At the FIA press conference before the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton used Snapchat and added filters to photos of drivers sitting beside him. Some journalists considered his attitude disrespectful; at a subsequent media session, he made a brief statement and left.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following his victory at the 2015 Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton sprayed champagne on a podium hostess. Groups and commentators condemned the gesture as humiliating and sexist.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After a difficult 2011 Monaco Grand Prix and several penalties, Hamilton joked 'maybe because I'm black' when asked why the stewards summoned him so often, then sharply criticised some competitors. The phrase and tone prompted immediate controversy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Around the 2010 Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne police stopped Hamilton after he performed a burnout and deliberately broke traction on a public road. His vehicle was impounded. He subsequently pleaded guilty and was fined A$500.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following the 2009 Australian Grand Prix, the FIA disqualified Hamilton and McLaren from the results, finding that they had provided misleading information to stewards about the Jarno Trulli incident under the safety car.

State of the evidence

Documented

In December 2007, Lewis Hamilton was caught driving at 196 km/h on the A26 motorway near Laon. Police fined him €600, impounded the vehicle and suspended his right to drive in France for one month.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During qualifying for the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton failed to follow a McLaren instruction to allow Fernando Alonso to pass in the fuel sequence. The internal dispute subsequently culminated in Alonso blocking Hamilton in the pits, prompting intervention by the stewards.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated