Lewis Hamilton dig at Formula E backfires as F1 champion is mocked in social media backlash

Mercedes driver slams son of F1 legend Prost on Instagram for causing ‘disgraceful’ crash in electric racing series – but didn’t realise video he posted was from three years ago

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Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton at Interlagos during the final race meeting of the season. Photo: EPA

Published: 3:20pm, 5 Dec 2017Updated: 4:04pm, 5 Dec 2017

Lewis Hamilton attempted to “keep an eye” on Formula E this weekend but he ended up being roundly mocked on social media instead.

In a post published on Instagram during last weekend’s HKT Hong Kong E-Prix, the Formula One world champion called on governing body FIA to ban Formula E’s Nico Prost for some “disgraceful driving” that resulted in a horror crash for Nick Heidfeld.

Hamilton said he was “disgusted”, but seemingly did not realise the accompanying video of the incident he posted was actually from the inaugural Formula E race in Beijing, three years ago – rather than Saturday’s season four opener in Hong Kong.

After causing a social media backlash, Hamilton deleted the post but former F1 driver Heidfeld, now racing with Mahindra in Formula E, posted his own light-hearted response on Twitter.

Heidfeld, who scored podium finishes with Williams and BMW Sauber in F1, thanked Hamilton and assured him he landed safely after his car was flung into the air by Prost in 2014.

“Hi Lewis, thanks first of all for your concern, and I’ve just landed safely,” said Heidfeld in a video posted at an airport.