Formula One ace calls home town a ‘slum’
Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was forced to reverse out of a sticky situation after suggesting his boyhood home town in England was a ‘‘slum’’.
Hamilton, a five-time F1 world champion, offended residents of Stevenage with his comments at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in Birmingham last weekend.
‘‘It’s been a really long journey, a dream for us all, as a family, to do something different, to get out of the slums,’’ Hamilton told presenter Gabby Logan on a show that was beamed out on national television.
Although he went on to clarify his comments, some residents from Stevenage, which earlier this year was ranked in an official survey as one of the happiest places in Britain, were unimpressed.
‘‘Well, we would say it’s not the slums, but just come out from somewhere and do something,’’ Hamilton explained as he sought to clarify his earlier statement.
Some people watching the programme were quick to leap to the defence of their town, taking to social media to display their frustration at the statement made by Britain’s most successful racing driver.
Stevenage Borough Council leader Sharon Taylor said: ‘‘It is disappointing that Lewis Hamilton referred to Stevenage as ‘the slums’ at such a highprofile event. He clearly realised what he had said and tried to correct it but sadly the people of our town, many of whom admire and support him, felt very offended.’’
Team England para-badminton player Gobi Ranganathan said on Twitter: ‘‘I for one am proud to fly the flag for Stevenage. It’s made me who I am today. It’s not perfect, but it’s home. And it has a lot to offer if people just open their eyes.’’
Stevenage, where Hamilton was born and raised, is a commuter town about 40km north of London.
The Mercedes driver is a multimillionaire with homes in Monaco and the United States.
It is not uncommon for Hamilton, 33, to speak about his rise from a humble background to be one of most successful drivers on the F1 circuit.
He later clarified his statement on social media, saying he had made a mistake and was ‘‘super proud’’ to come from Stevenage.
‘‘Nobody is perfect and I 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 you’ve had in life,’’ he said.
‘‘I chose the wrong words. I didn’t mean anything by it and those of you who know me, know that I always mean love.’’
Hamilton finished second in the awards, behind Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas.
‘‘I for one am proud to fly the flag for Stevenage. It’s made me who I am today.’’
Team England para-badminton player Gobi Ranganathan