Hamilton Appeals to Bring Back Celebration in F1

Lewis Hamilton

The reigning champion in Formula One expressed, in an interview for the German press ahead of the Nurburgring Grand Prix, his desire to see celebration back in F1.

At the end of the Silverstone Grand Prix, the Brit drew a series of donuts in front of his home crowd in response to their unyielding support. He disclosed that had he been in points he wouldn't have had performed the banned behavior.

“Well, they couldn't give me a penalty really could they? I think when you have won the race you don't want to risk anything and they don't want to damage the car”, said Hamilton.

“It was my home grand prix and they have stood by me through thick and thin and I think it was incredible the support I had. It was beyond me - I didn't know I was going to have that much support still, even though I was all the way back there. Even at the end of the race they were still up supporting me and cheering me, even though it was a disastrous race really. It was great fun, you know”, stated the F1 driver.

“We do burn-outs and donuts all the time in demonstrations and things and the car will be fine. As long as you treat it right and do it properly you won't damage the car. I don't think it was unsafe for anyone so why shouldn't we be allowed to do it? I don't know what else we can do. I think if you want to do it in celebration of your win, you should be allowed to. It shouldn't be restricted”, continued Hamilton.

Lewis expressed his regret with the way the current regulations place the sport in a sober and gloomy atmosphere. He then praised the way things are going in the MotoGP where after-race celebrations are an important human aspect of the competition. He then looked back at some touching moments in F1 in the early '90s, when Nigel Mansell gave Ayrton Senna a hand in reaching the paddock after his car broke down at the end of the British Grand Prix.

“Look at MotoGP, it is one of the most exciting races to watch because in the end they give even more back to the fans. Look back at years ago when Nigel stopped and picked Ayrton up, that was fantastic. That was awesome. Not that I want to stop and get on the side of someone else - but it could be fun!”, concluded Hamilton.