Hamilton fined over Australian antics

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton has been fined 500 Australian dollars (£288) for "behaving like a hoon" and performing boy racer stunts.

The 2008 world champion was caught by police executing a "burnout" and "fishtail" - tricks in which wheels are intentionally spun and skidded - in front of fans ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in March.

The 25-year-old was not in court to hear his punishment but his lawyer, Sandip Mukerjea, said Hamilton would plead guilty to the charge of improper use of a motor vehicle.

He avoided conviction as it was a first offence, but will be forced to pay the 500 Australian dollar fine.

Mr Mukerjea said his client suffered "embarrassment, humiliation and distress" as a result of the incident.

The driver was in a borrowed Mercedes when he was seen performing stunts outside the Grand Prix track at Albert Park, Melbourne.

Hamilton is due to compete in the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend and wrote twice to the court to explain his absence.

Magistrate Clive Alsop said the British racing driver was a role model to young people and as such should have known better.

"This is about somebody in a responsible position behaving like a hoon," he added.