Lewis Hamilton walks out of Mercedes press conference at Japanese GP
Lewis Hamilton opted not to answer questions in a Mercedes press conference in Suzuka Saturday night and, after offering an explanation, he walked out of the team’s hospitality building.
In addition to many FIA events, Hamilton and teammate Nico Rosberg attend short press conferences hosted by Mercedes on Thursday afternoons, and after both qualifying and the race.
On this occasion, Hamilton took the microphone and paused for a while before referencing negative media reaction to him using Snapchat on his phone during Thursday’s FIA press conference, citing it as disrespectful. He then put the microphone down and left.
“The smiles on your faces probably will be no longer,” he said to the assembled media. “I’m not actually here to answer your questions, I’ve decided. With the utmost respect, there are many of you here that are super supportive of me, and those of you hopefully know I know who they are.
“There are others unfortunately that often take advantage of certain things. The other day was a super light-hearted thing, and if I was disrespectful to any of you guys, or if you felt that I was disrespectful, it honestly was not the intention, it was just a little bit of fun.
“But what was more disrespectful was what was then written worldwide. I’m just kind of in a position... Unfortunately, there are some people here, it’s not them that’s done it, and unfortunately the decision I will take unfortunately affects those who have been super supportive. That’s why I’m saying with the utmost respect.
“But yeah, I don’t really plan on sitting here many more times for these kinds of things. My apologies, and I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your weekend.”
