Lewis Hamilton issued a blanket apology for his part in McLaren's disqualification from the Australian Grand Prix but maintained he is not a liar and was instead misled by his team.
Hamilton apologetic for his part in the Australian Grand Prix fiasco last weekLewis Hamilton issued a blanket apology for his part in McLaren's disqualification from the Australian Grand Prix but maintained he is not a liar and was instead "misled" by his team.
The FIA announced on Thursday that the team had been excluded from classification for the race after it was determined that they had "acted in a manner prejudicial to the conduct of the event by providing evidence deliberately misleading to the stewards."
World champion Hamilton had initially been promoted from fourth to third after Toyota's Jarno Trulli was handed a 25-second penalty for passing him during a safety car period late in the race.
But the case was reopenedu00a0 after evidence was produced of a radio transmission which revealed Hamilton had been told by his pit wall to allow the Italian to pass.
The stewards determined that Hamilton and McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan had lied about the incident, reinstating Trulli's third place and throwing McLaren out of the race with the possibility of further sanctions to follow. Ryan had been suspended with immediate effect.
"For me, the situation is definitely the worst thing I've experienced in my life," said Hamilton in a press conference. "That is why I am here. It is right for me as a human being and as a man to stand in front of you all and tell you exactly what went on and put up my hands.
"I can't tell you how sorry I am. I'm sorry to my team and my family for the embarrassment. It is a very embarrassing situation."
