4 Apr 2009

Contrite Hamilton says he was misled by McLaren

7:04 am on 4 April 2009

Britain's Formula One motor racing world champion Lewis Hamilton says he was told by McLaren's New Zealand team manager Dave Ryan to lie to stewards at last weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Ryan has been suspended and ordered home by McLaren after the sport's governing body ruled that Hamilton and his team deliberately provided misleading information.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says Ryan, who has been with the team for 35 years, has to take full responsibility for bringing the team into disrepute.

Describing the subsequent storm as the worst thing he's experienced in his life, Hamilton apologised to the stewards and to his fans for his behaviour and assured them it would never happen again.

Hamilton and McLaren were stripped of their points for third place after officials reinstated Jarno Trulli of Toyota following the ruling.