'Repentant' Lewis Hamilton will not get 'VIP treatment for driving offence': Victoria govt

The Victorian government has said that Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton will not be granted preferential treatment after being caught ‘hoon driving’ outside the Australian Grand Prix circuit at Albert Park in Melbourne. 
 
Hamilton’s car was impounded on Friday night for 48 hours after police caught him doing a burnout with his silver Mercedes. 

Victorian Major Events Minister Tim Holding said Hamilton should not expect any VIP treatment for the driving offence.

“It doesn't matter who you are, it doesn't matter where you've come from. If you break our hoon driving laws in Victoria you will have your car impounded and you will face the full force of the law,” The Herald Sun quoted Holding, as saying.

“Lewis Hamilton has learned that. I suppose it just sends a really powerful lesson to everyone that if you do the wrong thing on Victorian roads you will get caught,” he added.

Holding further said that Hamilton would be charged on summons and could face further penalties from the Grand Prix authorities or his McLaren team.

“He's very embarrassed, I'm sure his team's embarrassed and we just take the view that what this shows is that Victoria's hoon driving laws apply to everyone,” Holding said.

He also said that the scandal sends out a bad message to youngsters who see Hamilton as a role model, but denied it would take the gloss off this weekend’s Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, Hamilton is expected to face the media after the final qualifying session today.