Lewis Hamilton merc. Impounded

[jpd80]

Who really thinks Lewis Hamilton gives a toss?

When all is said and done, he'll pay the pizzly fine and have a laugh with his friends,
the Victorian police will look like fools on international media and Hamilton will probably
get chauffered in future.

[MO]

Well how can VicPol look like fools,they're doing their job,applying the law as it stands. Perhaps you would prefer they stood back and watched and booked the next bloke instead.

[AWD Chaser]

This is terrible. Couldn't give a flying stuff about him getting in trouble or whatever, but as far as enthusits telling us to go to a race track, etc.. This just kills it if a guy that has access to a race track for his career, does a b/o leaving it... in front of a copper!!!!!

Maybe he should have taken the RTA Pledge.... lol

[Cam]

Originally Posted by GTP006

That is awesome.

What he said....

I love it how he can drive a 700+ hp car, in a sub 1000kg chasis, yet ripping a skid in a road car is still appealing

[Yaw]

Mate, I am like the next guy, I love to see this kind of stuff, Drags, Motor Racings, Wheels spinning but in a controlled enviroment where there are saftey barriers, paramedics and fire fighting equipment on hand.

For a high profile driver like Lewis Hamilton to get caught on a public road is an absolute disgrace for him.

How many times do you recall the likes of Dick Johnson and Peter Brock saying in ads "its a road, not a race track" In that statement lies the difference.

I think the cops did the right thing. If they were to let that go, how many others would think "well if he can get away with it so can I"

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by just_pazz

I'm just amazed at how sad and wowser this country, and it's residents, have become.

You're not the only one.

[3vXT]

I don't care how good he is on the track, that is a controlled environment and the road is not. I know people who are pretty good at their jobs too but would get in a whole world of crap if they displayed their skills on a public road or shopping centre.

The only person who should be embarrassed by this is Lewis Hamilton. He'll pay the fine and have a laugh about it though.

[LUXO_8]

Originally Posted by davway

there is a world of difference between Lewis Hamilton and your average meathead in Commodore though.
Not saying it was a good move but at the end of theday, a higly skilled and trained driver letting off a skid isnt going to kill anyone is it.

good on them imo......as stated the laws are there for everyone, race drivers arent exempt when they get off the track......
as fror the defence of him being a professional driver, anyone can lose it at any time......troy crithley was a professional drag racer.......
hamilton doing a burnout on the street proves he isnt really all that professional :

[Brent]

Oh god, here we go... (head in hands). Yes, we all know that he did the wrong thing. Yes, he should have saved it for the racetrack. No, he's not exempt from the law. All of these points are givens.

However, of all the thousands of cars on Melbourne's roads last night, I'd hazard a rough guess that the particular Mercedes in question would have been one of the safest, both in terms of the car, and especially the driver. I'd feel safer in a car dropping a bit of rubber with him at the wheel, than in most mid 90s rustbuckets getting around with a 22 year old at the wheel.

So, was he picked up because he was a genuine danger, or because we're more interested in following populist rules? I just want to pose that question.

I just think that this ais a good example of where we've lost that little bit of context in the whole road safety issue. In years gone by, the cop would have pulled him over, realised it was an F1 driver, proceeded to have a chat, tell him something like "look mate, we're a bit edgy about doing these things in cars in this joint, so just move along and you'll be right. I'll waive the ticket for a free pit pass." Or something like that. In other words, a bit of discretion and god forbid, a bit of common sense.

Fastforward to year 2010 in Australia. No judgment. No context. Rules, rules, rules. And probably 2kms away there would have been the usual fighting/assaults/glassings etc going on in any number of nightclubs, but the cops couldn't attend because they were to busy impounding Hamilton's car.

Righteo.

[Bucknaked]

Just because he's an F1 driver, doesn't mean he is exempt from laws in this country. Some people here think he should be treated like royalty and given red carpet treatment. Once he left the track on to Public Roads, then he is a motorist just like everyone else. Regardless of his status and his ability behind the wheel. He's just a race car driver.

[EB#]

Well done Vic Police...
In the vernacular of his homeland, Hamilton is the 'pillock' here.

[Elks]

Another embarrassing day to be a Victorian.

They should have had the brains or discrecion to let him off with a warning. Now on a global stage our draconian laws and mostly ineffcectual laws (the real 'hoons" are still speeding though Mill Park - see seperate thread) will be shown to world. Great for encouraging race fans to visit Melbourne for the grand prix.

Then again what should we expect form a Govt made up of mostly school teachers than to treat us like naughty boys.

Flame suit on.. :

[tex]

The rot set in - in australia a long time ago.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Brent

However, of all the thousands of cars on Melbourne's roads last night, I'd hazard a rough guess that the particular Mercedes in question would have been one of the safest, both in terms of the car, and especially the driver. I'd feel safer in a car dropping a bit of rubber with him at the wheel, than in most mid 90s rustbuckets getting around with a 22 year old at the wheel.

.

It's just a shame that the human body isn't as technologically advanced and safe as the Mercedes that's lost control and plowed through the crowd.

[geckoGT]

Wonder how long it'll take Jeremy to rip Australia to shreds you mean, lol. He's a F1 world champ FFS, the charge of being "out of control" is ridiculous. Improper use yes but out of control?
All a lawyer would have to do is show the judge Hamiltons TG lap in the reasonably priced car in the wet to laugh the "out of control" charge out of court.

This will not mean squat. The simple fact is the law defines a vehicle that is sliding (he was fishtailing) as out of control, no matter who the driver is. This law applies to all road users, no matter what their experience, the law is black and white, not grey and it has to be.

there is a world of difference between Lewis Hamilton and your average meathead in Commodore though.
Not saying it was a good move but at the end of theday, a higly skilled and trained driver letting off a skid isnt going to kill anyone is it.

Of course, until some meathead in a commodore or a skyline says "thats not a skid Lewis, I'll show you how to rip a fully sick skid, like I can". Hardly the example a role model like Lewis should be displaying.

Ok fair enough, yes wrong thing to do, he broke the law and needs to cop it on the chin, after all can you imagine the uproar if he was let off....

Absolutely, it happened in front of a heap of witnesses, proven by the fact the cops had to interview him inside a police car to hide him from the witnesses to save him embarrassment. Imagine the public outcry if Lewis was then allowed to get back in the Merc and drive off when everyone else would have lost their car, the cops did the right thing. It is not the cops fault, they are just applying the law with equality and fairness, it is Lewis's fault for being so stupid thinking he is above the law, for the second time.

This is terrible. Couldn't give a flying stuff about him getting in trouble or whatever, but as far as enthusits telling us to go to a race track, etc.. This just kills it if a guy that has access to a race track for his career, does a b/o leaving it... in front of a copper!!!!!

Absolutely, time Lewis wakes up and realises all those millions that he gets paid each year require him to be an ambassador for motor sport and driving standards as well as his country and his sponsors.

I don't care how good he is on the track, that is a controlled environment and the road is not. I know people who are pretty good at their jobs too but would get in a whole world of crap if they displayed their skills on a public road or shopping centre.

Absolutely, I would even go as far to say that he would have copped a fine ten times what he did if he had of ripped a skid and fishtailed his F1 car on the track after one of his practice laps, the officials would have come down on that really hard. Maybe he was lucky he did it on the road and not on the track.

I think the largest problem that Lewis will have is that this is not the first time he has been caught and I am sure his sponsors will not be happy. They pay him millions each year to represent them and I am sure Mercedes will not be happy with the image that he is projecting. I bet the fine and impound of the car are the least of his problems.

[MO]

Just heard on Aunties news that Lewis has apologised for driving in an overly exhuberant manner.

[4Vman]

A couple of points:
I doubt the policeman would have known Lewis Hamilton was driving the car when it was intercepted, 2) probably doesnt know who Lewis Hamilton is anyway and 3) regardless of that shouldnt apply different standards of behaviour to people just because they're famous, and given the amount of police presence and witnesses would probably risk his job if he didnt charge him...

So IMO the right thing was done.

[FPV8U]

Not the First F1 Driver to get done and won't be the last...

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by Brent

However, of all the thousands of cars on Melbourne's roads last night, I'd hazard a rough guess that the particular Mercedes in question would have been one of the safest, both in terms of the car, and especially the driver. I'd feel safer in a car dropping a bit of rubber with him at the wheel, than in most mid 90s rustbuckets getting around with a 22 year old at the wheel.

What about the 90's rust bucket that follow his example then?

So, was he picked up because he was a genuine danger, or because we're more interested in following populist rules? I just want to pose that question.

I bet the cop may not have realised who he was until he got stopped, until then he was just another moron ripping a skid (perhaps in Daddy's nice Merc)

I just think that this ais a good example of where we've lost that little bit of context in the whole road safety issue. In years gone by, the cop would have pulled him over, realised it was an F1 driver, proceeded to have a chat, tell him something like "look mate, we're a bit edgy about doing these things in cars in this joint, so just move along and you'll be right. I'll waive the ticket for a free pit pass." Or something like that. In other words, a bit of discretion and god forbid, a bit of common sense.

Ok, so it should have been "sorry Mr Hamilton, you are above the law but please don't flaunt it, I will let you go if you make it worth my while". I thought bribing a cop or a cop accepting a bribe was illegal. I am sure the press would have a field day with that one and everyone here would be criticising them for being corrupt.

Fastforward to year 2010 in Australia. No judgment. No context. Rules, rules, rules. And probably 2kms away there would have been the usual fighting/assaults/glassings etc going on in any number of nightclubs, but the cops couldn't attend because they were to busy impounding Hamilton's car.

The other way of looking at it, if he had not been acting like a fool, maybe the cops would have been available for the assaults, glassings etc.

[Mark351]

Bad for Lewis' PR given his prior incident in France.

From VicPol's point of view, it's an example to the public; that it doesn't matter if you're Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes or a backwards cap-wearing knob in a Skyline, if you drive like an idiot on public roads, we'll impounded your car and fine you.

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

A couple of points:
I doubt the policeman would have known Lewis Hamilton was driving the car when it was intercepted, 2) probably doesnt know who Lewis Hamilton is anyway and 3) regardless of that shouldnt apply different standards of behaviour to people just because they're famous.

So IMO the right thing was done.

I just hope the media don't link Hamiltons actions to "drag racing". Seems anytime anyone does something silly on the roads, the media refers to it as drag racing.

There is a lot of effort being put into having a purpose built drag strip constructed near Melbourne. We don't want some roundy-roundy racer driving in an "overly exuberant manner", to effect that.

[max_torq]

Regardless of any recent anti-hoon crackdowns, it has never been a good idea to do a burnout onto a busy public road and then fishtail past a parked police car. I wonder if all the other drivers leaving the circuit drove past him as he was talking with the cops.

[Brent]

Gecko, I take your points that you made. The free ticket thing was tongue-in-cheek. Don't take it literally.

What I'm trying to say is that technically yes, under the law he did the wrong thing. Not in dispute. Technically, the law assumes that every man, woman and child has exactly the same driving skill. It also assumes that a burnout on a country road is exactly the same as one outside of a school, at home time, in peak hour traffic. The reality is different.

Its just that in days gone by, circumstance and context could be taken into account by the officers involved, and a degree of discretion applied. That option appears to have gone.

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by davway

there is a world of difference between Lewis Hamilton and your average meathead in Commodore though.
Not saying it was a good move but at the end of theday, a higly skilled and trained driver letting off a skid isnt going to kill anyone is it.

Well, usually I would agree with you

But a highly trained and world renowned racing driver did manage to cause over $500,000 damage to a Pagani Zonda last year!

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/60...s-crash-claims

I am NOT saying it was Sir Jackie Stewart but the owner did state it was a world renowned racing driver!

[imugli]

What a crock!

This cop would have been standing outside a gate whereby very few people would have 'drive through' access. I'm talking FIA staff, drivers, team staff, dignitaries etc. That's it. Joe Public cannot just drive into the paddock. Now considering most teams have fleets of people-movers ferrying crews etc (Ferrari are using Kia Carnivals :-/) I'd take a guess that the cops knew pretty well that they'd be right in the line of some driver antics and in the right spot to make some headlines.

This is a guy whose driving ability is matched or bettered by only 23 other people in this world, as evidenced by the fact that he is one of only 24 people regularly driving in the pinnacle of world motorsport.

Hands up who in their right mind would for a second think a mere road car would ever be 'out of control' with this guy at the wheel?

This stinks of example making.

Go catch a real criminal - or better still, some 22 year old in a *insert fully ****** turbo'd, lowered, 20in front & 15in steelie rear wheeled car here* who CAN'T control it.

[johnno3]

Storm in a teaup IMO

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by imugli

What a crock!

This cop would have been standing outside a gate whereby very few people would have 'drive through' access. I'm talking FIA staff, drivers, team staff, dignitaries etc. That's it. Joe Public cannot just drive into the paddock. Now considering most teams have fleets of people-movers ferrying crews etc (Ferrari are using Kia Carnivals :-/) I'd take a guess that the cops knew pretty well that they'd be right in the line of some driver antics and in the right spot to make some headlines.

This is a guy whose driving ability is matched or bettered by only 23 other people in this world, as evidenced by the fact that he is one of only 24 people regularly driving in the pinnacle of world motorsport.

Hands up who in their right mind would for a second think a mere road car would ever be 'out of control' with this guy at the wheel?

This stinks of example making.

Go catch a real criminal - or better still, some 22 year old in a *insert fully ****** turbo'd, lowered, 20in front & 15in steelie rear wheeled car here* who CAN'T control it.

So different rules for different people hey?

Tell us where do we draw the line then?

He knew what he was doing. I lived in the UK for 6 years, and believe me, it isnt LEGAL to fishtail down the street.......

[Full Noise]

Without being there, I just wonder how long this “burnout” actually was?

The way the media are playing it up, you’d think that he smoked up and fishtailed the entire length of Lakeside drive.

Originally Posted by Brent

Its just that in days gone by, circumstance and context could be taken into account by the officers involved, and a degree of discretion applied. That option appears to have gone.

They still have it, they just choose not to use it. There was a case not long ago where a driver was caught on the Wang bypass trying to get to a hospital. They didn’t impound the car, he was ordered to leave the car at a police station within 48 hrs.

Originally Posted by gcg2503

So different rules for different people hey?

Ever heard of a bloke called Jeff Kennett?

I'm sure he will tell you otherwise.

On January 3 1996, Kennett was able to avoid being charged for driving 143 km in a 100 km zone on the Hamilton Highway, near Lismore, Western Victoria. Normally, the minimum penalty for such an offence in Victoria is automatic licence suspension and a hefty fine. Jail is also an alternative. Kennett got no licence suspension - the Police refused to charge him. It has since been revealed that another man, a publican at Colac, was pulled over for allegedly doing 133 km in the same area. The Police officer refused to use his discretion to drop the alleged speed by a mere 3 km to allow him to keep his licence. In yet another case, Mr. Clive Goodenough was taken to court for doing more than 30 km over the limit. He was jailed for two months following an ex-parte hearing. There he was bashed and raped. Kennett refused his application to have the case reopened.

[WOLF]

this is a ****er....its just a shame they didn't impound him for 48 hours!

[jpd80]

The English McLaren driver did a burnout with smoking tyres and a fishtail in a silver Mercedes along Lakeside Drive in front of a Victoria Police divisional van that pulled him over about 9.15pm.

Hamilton was visibly upset as his car was towed away.

He will also be fined.

In a statement, Hamilton said: "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."

It's understood he told police he was worried the incident would dent his reputation.

"It would have been fair to say he was fairly disappointed," Sen-Constable Scott Woodford said.

Contrary to my earlier opinion, I don't see a beat up there, and I think his team boss will be
having stern words with him, they take a very dim view of their drivers acting like this in public.