FORMULA 1 race ace Lewis Hamilton, who is leading the pack in practice sessions for the Australian Grand Prix, was stopped in his track by sharp-eyed police in Melbourne. The Stevenage-born FI world champion in 2008 has apologised after his Mercedes road

FORMULA 1 race ace Lewis Hamilton, who is leading the pack in practice sessions for the Australian Grand Prix, was stopped in his track by sharp-eyed police in Melbourne.

The Stevenage-born FI world champion in 2008 has apologised after his Mercedes road car was impounded following it being seen to skid as it left Albert Park where Sunday's race is being held.

Police constable Scott Woodford was quoted as saying: "Given that Melbourne's on the world stage with a lot of interstate and international visitors, we would expect drivers to observe road rules."

A Victoria police spokesman said: "The vehicle was seen to deliberately lose traction and was intercepted by police. The driver was spoken to at the scene and is expected to be charged on summons with improper use of a vehicle.

"The vehicle, a 2010 Mercedes, was impounded for 48 hours and the driver returned to his hotel."

Lewis Hamilton said: "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.