Five times Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has apologised for referring to Stevenage, the town of his origins, as “slums” during a speech he made on stage at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
The Mercedes driver posted on Instagram a selfie video reiterating that he is very proud of his roots and on the night simply made a mistake in his choice of words under the glare of spotlights.
A contrite Hamilton said: “Good day people. I hope you are well wherever you are I’m sending you positive energy. I’m having an amazing day today, super happy, simply because holidays have just started.”
“But I wanted to take a second to send a message to people back in the UK, but also to people in Stevenage where I grew up, somewhere I am incredibly proud of coming from and still love to this day, so please if you.”
“If you are upset about the mistake I made on stage, don’t bother with it, throw it to the side, it’s negative energy that you don’t need to hold.”
“I am super proud of where I have come from, I hope that you know that, that I represent [you] in the best way I can always.”
“No one is perfect, I definitely make mistakes quite often particularly when you are up in front of a crowd trying to find the right words to express the long journey that you have had in life, I chose the wrong words.”
“But I didn’t mean anything by it, those of you who know me know I always mean love, so God Bless You and have a great day.”
End of story.
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