Lewis Hamilton has sports car towed for stunts in front of police

Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton has had his sports car impounded after performing reckless stunts in front of a police van on a public road in

The former world champion was spotted by police as he performed wheelspins and fishtails — wobbling the rear of the car to slow it down — in his silver Mercedes sports car two days before the start of the Melbourne Grand Prix.

Police in a parked van saw Hamilton turn into a street with smoking wheels and pulled him over for dangerous driving.

The racing driver was interviewed for about half an hour and would have been routinely breath-tested. He will be charged by Victoria police with improper use of a vehicle.

Hamilton, who was visibly upset, had his car towed away and impounded. He will also be fined.
It is understood Hamilton, who was made an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours, told policemen at the scene that he was worried this would dent his reputation.

He issued a statement soon after, saying: "This evening, I was driving in an over-exuberant manner and, as a result, was stopped by the police. What I did was silly and I want to apologise for it."

The sports car was towed to a police yard in Melbourne, where it will be held for 48 hours under what Australian police call anti-hoon laws. A hoon is the Australian equivalent of a boy racer.

Senior Constable Scott Woodford said Hamilton was "extremely co-operative" and added: "It would be fair to say he was disappointed."