Social media can sometimes get the best of us. Lewis Hamilton learned this the hard way before the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix.

Formula 1 is a global motorsport with a viewership that is increasing each passing year. So naturally, the drivers are expected to be role models. Teams, on the other hand, need good PR. However, in 2016, the defending World Champion of the time, Lewis Hamilton, sent the media into a frenzy.

What was the reason, you may ask? Snapchat.

The then 3-time World Champion was caught using Snapchat during one of the press conferences before the Grand Prix.

“It’s quite funny, just some snaps of drivers,” he said. “We’ve been doing this [press conference] a long, long time and it’s the same. Just got to keep adding new things to it.” 

Subsequently, Hamilton caught a lot of flak for this.

Lewis Hamilton retaliates to “disrespectful” media

In the aftermath of the whole fiasco, Hamilton walked out of the subsequent media event.

He was quoted as saying, “what was more disrespectful is what was then written, worldwide. There are some people here and it’s not them that’s done it, and the decision I will take unfortunately affects those who have been super-supportive.” 

Trending

Daniel Ricciardo To Be Replaced by Liam Lawson After Miami, F1 Pundit Dishes Out Harsh Verdict After Australian’s “Amateur Mistake”

April 17, 2024 11:14 AM EDT

Who are Zhou Guanyu’s Parents? Everything We Know About The Chinese Driver’s Family

April 16, 2024 02:07 PM EDT

Adrian Newey Hits Out at Climate Activist Lewis Hamilton’s Fuel Protest, Desperate to See V10 Engines Again

April 15, 2024 12:35 PM EDT

Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department Sends F1 Fans Into a Frenzy: “Its a Fernando Reference”

April 19, 2024 09:43 AM EDT

“I F*cked Up”: Lando Norris Blames a “Crappy” Factor for Disastrous Chinese GP Sprint Race

April 20, 2024 10:45 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

He sat through the beginning of the press conference. Then ominously, referring to the smiling journalists, quipped, “You won’t be smiling in a minute.”

2022 F1 Season Not the First Time Lewis Hamilton Finds Himself in the Trenches, Does He Have What It Takes?

Minutes later, the Briton left the press conference to the disbelief of everyone in attendance. This, however, was not the first time a Formula 1 driver has shown their displeasure towards the media. Mark Webber once famously walked out of the Indian Grand Prix post-race conference.

Now, Lewis Hamilton has become a stalwart of the Social Media scene. He has frequently spoken aloud about social issues plaguing society. It is without a shadow of a doubt that he has become a role model on and off the field.

Watch this story: Lewis Hamilton Finds Himself in an Unusual Situation With His Teammate for the First Time Since 2007

However, a younger, more fiery Hamilton was possibly not afraid to fight fire with fire. As he has matured, he has become more aware and seems to pick those fights that seem the most relevant and personal to him.