Formula One wonder boy Lewis Hamilton decided that an appropriate follow up to a scorching F1 season and a second place finish on Top Gear's test track would be a high speed run through the north of France. The open-wheel prodigy was caught doing 120 mph near the town of Laon – 40 mph over the speed limit – and was fined £600, had his unspecified Mercedes impounded and lost his license in France for a month. Much like F1 legend Michael Schumacher when he was busted for hooning in a German taxi, Lewis was reportedly "polite and cooperative" when the boys in blue (do cops wear blue in France?) caught up to him.The 22-year old racer has endured his fair share of controversy over the past year, including a feud with his ex-team mate Fernando Alonso and the Stepneygate affair that plagued his team McLaren. Here's hoping that 2008 will be a bit more subdued but equally remarkable. Until the season starts, however, he may need new teammate Heikki Kovalainen to give him a ride.
[Source: TopGear, Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
iSpec @ Dec 18th 2007 1:40PM
A lot of us have done the same thing but just have never been caught. I'm not throwing any stones here.
500 @ Dec 18th 2007 1:41PM
I've been to France saveral times, and the Gendarmerie always seem to drive blue cars, and their shirts are light blue I believe. So yes, "boys in blue" is appropriate.
500 @ Dec 18th 2007 1:43PM
Oops "several times." Typing too fast.
Rico @ Dec 18th 2007 1:45PM
The cops do wear blue and he was driving a CLK63 and the fine was €600 not £600.
Mike @ Dec 18th 2007 1:49PM
CLK63 AMG? DROOOOOOOOOOOOOL...
nissanfreak87 @ Dec 18th 2007 3:22PM
wonder how he got the CLK, haha
500 @ Dec 19th 2007 1:22AM
Nice. As a two-time CLK owner ('00 CLK430 and '03 CLK500), that's one of my dream cars. Hmmm, I COULD use a second Mercedes while the other one's in the shop...
Franz @ Dec 18th 2007 2:02PM
lol. Too funny. I like Lewis Hamilton... too bad he got caught. I know I've been way over the speed limit many times, so I'm not throwing any stones either. It's just ironic to have a Formula 1 driver get his license taken away.
For real though, can you imagine how hard it must be to drive a CLK63 at the prescribed speed limit? I doubt many real performance nuts could.
J.D. @ Dec 18th 2007 2:09PM
I think he was a victim of French bigotry.
"Zhou drive for McLareen? Ha, Breetish dog! Wee geeve you teekit! Wee take away zhour license! I fart in your general deerection!"
johdaxx @ Dec 18th 2007 2:29PM
heh - just a good thing he wasn't doing that in Spain. They'd have locked him up until Fernando won the driver's championships again.
Richard @ Dec 18th 2007 3:05PM
British team, German engine: multiple generations of French enemies. Lucky this didn't happen to Scott Speed.
fm @ Dec 18th 2007 4:59PM
Just wanted to let you know, Renault is an english team aswell. Hell they play the British national anthem on the Renault engine while doing the once over after racing the car (see Top Gear's stunt with the V10 Renault F1 car).
And in all fareness what do you think they'd do to him here in the US where the speed limit in most places is 55 or 65mph, and not 80 like it is in France?
Revlimitr @ Dec 18th 2007 2:10PM
Way to go Lewis!!! Welcome to the club!!!! But only €600? I got caught doing 106 in a 55 and they tried to charge me with over £1240 plus here in the states...
Great to know he is still human!!!!
CompWizrd @ Dec 18th 2007 2:34PM
It would be an automatic $2000 fine, and impounding of the vehicle for 7 days, and 6 points on your license, if you were to do that in Ontario, Canada. Falls under the new street racing law, along with stunting(donuts, wheelies, etc).
Revlimitr @ Dec 18th 2007 3:27PM
Man...7 Days? I can do with the fines...maybe even the points...but 7 days without my ride? That would hurt!
R @ Dec 18th 2007 2:28PM
Their speed limit is 80mph? That's awesome. You sure it wasn't 80 kph?
Flea @ Dec 18th 2007 2:43PM
well, in Italy we have 80 mph limit (130 kph), I don't see why the french would have it lower.
VW_MTL @ Dec 18th 2007 3:11PM
France Speed Limit on the "A" series Freeways is 130km/h or 80mph. Other highways or "nationale" N series is 90km/h or 55 mph
Tele @ Dec 18th 2007 2:50PM
In light of the car being specified as a CLK63, he should've been ticketed for not going fast enough!
NewJerseyBMW @ Dec 18th 2007 3:05PM
PROFILING !!!!!!!!!!