Hamilton: "Lying Saga Was Like Jail Time"

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton compared the feeling he had following the lie-gate in the Australian Grand Prix with the one a prisoner would have when knowing he's not guilty, though behind bars. The scandal he has been part of during the past few weeks, added to the criticism of his Swiss tax exile, as well as the discussion about his ignorant personality, has left him bitter with the world of Formula One.

As argued by the reigning world champion, competing in F1 is not fun anymore, as it is heavily affected by scandals and politics. Unlike in the lower categories, where everyone is only concerned with driving his heart out, F1 is a far more complex world, thinks Ham.

“It's got to be a similar feeling to anyone who goes to jail but feels they shouldn't be behind bars,” said the 24-year old in an interview with The Times newspaper, referring to the lying saga earlier this year.

“That is the feeling I have had, although I know what happened in Australia was wrong. I just feel knocked about by it all. I want to be a driver – I am not in the sport to be a politician,” added the McLaren driver.

“It affects your life, it affects the way you are. I used to enjoy formula one and part of that has been taken away from me. Unfortunately, it is the way the formula one world works for some reason. It's much nicer in the lower categories, where all the people are there just to race and the teams are there just to race.”

“Talking to the media and having interviews on television used to be great fun, but it has changed. I have no doubts in my mind I can enjoy formula one just as much as I did before. Just not now,” admitted Hamilton.
Despite lying to the race stewards in Melbourne, Hamilton and team McLaren Mercedes walked off only with a harsh warning from the FIA. While the team received a suspended 3-race ban penalty by the World Motor Sport Council, Hamilton did not get any point penalization in the championship.