Mercedes Formula 1 team driver Lewis Hamilton has "risked incurring the wrath" of F1 owner Liberty Media after "snubbing a major promotional event" for the British Grand Prix at Trafalgar Square on Wednesday in favor of a two-day holiday, according to Oliver Brown of the London TELEGRAPH. The timing by Hamilton, who posted pictures of himself partying on the Greek island of Mykonos, was "especially awkward on the day that Silverstone officials triggered a break clause to end their hosting of the race" in '19. Liberty reportedly told Hamilton that his presence for Wednesday's "parade of F1 cars through the capital, expected to be watched by a quarter of a million people, was required" (TELEGRAPH, 7/12). In London, Jonathan McEvoy reported Hamilton's unilateral decision "casts doubt on his long-term future at Mercedes" -- raising the question of "whether some underlying tension between star driver and team is at the root of his non-appearance." Hamilton "disobeyed team orders to go on a trip by private jet." It is understood that Liberty only learned of Hamilton's "defiant stand from his social media," though Mercedes said that he "made his position known during the last race in Austria" (DAILY MAIL, 7/11).
TONGUE IN CHEEK: The PA's Philip Duncan reported Liberty Media aimed a "thinly-veiled dig" at Hamilton. He had been "expected to lead the billing in front of his home crowd" as F1 takes over London. An F1 spokesperson said, "We invited teams and drivers to join us at F1 Live London and we had a fantastic response from all the teams and 19 of the drivers" (
DAILY MAIL, 7/12).
