Lewis apologises to FIA over lies in Australia

Published on Saturday 11 April 2009 11:09

A REMORSEFUL Lewis Hamilton issued a private apology to FIA race director Charlie Whiting after he was caught lying to stewards.

Whiting has offered an insight into the events that will now see McLaren face the World Motor Sport Council in Paris later this month to answer a charge of bringing the sport into disrepute.

Whiting claims he sensed Hamilton was lying to stewards presiding over the Australian Grand Prix as they tried to ascertain whether or not he had allowed Toyota's Jarno Trulli to pass him behind the safety car.

Four days later in Sepang, in the wake of fresh evidence emerging that snared Hamilton and McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan, the world champion later humbly apologised to Whiting.

Hamilton then offered a public apology during an emotional press conference. Whiting said: "I was distinctly uncomfortable about Lewis' demeanour on Sunday (in Australia). It was completely clear he was telling lies. On Thursday (in Malaysia) I would say he was just doing what he was told to do.

"He came to me and wanted to talk to me privately, and just said he wanted to apologise for everything he'd done, and he wouldn't do it again, that sort of thing."