Formula 1 drivers are some of the bravest people in the world. At this speed and risk, trying to measure yourself against the limits of physics requires a big, brave heart. But in 2015, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton took the idea that F1 drivers are brave to a whole new level.
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This was in Sochi, Russia after the Brit won the Russian Grand Prix ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Force India’s Sergio Perez. And, as is so often the case, the top finishers in the race were awarded the trophies by members of the Russian government; this time including President Vladimir Putin.
Before we proceed from this point, it should be noted that Putin is one of, if not the most powerful people in the world. Doing what Lewis Hamilton did next after handing over the trophy from someone like Putin is incredibly dangerous, brave and fun at the same time.
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What Hamilton did was spray champagne on the President of Russia, who quickly walked away, accompanied by his security guards who glanced briefly.
Fortunately, Hamilton had no consequences for what happened. Because let’s face it, it can easily appear “disrespectful”, among other things, to sprinkle champagne on the prime minister of any country.
And doing this to Putin, even if it was unintentional, could have been quite a situation. Regardless, Putin played it cool and probably forgot about it.
But Lewis Hamilton certainly didn’t, as he recalled in 2018.
Lewis Hamilton came in against President Putin in 2018
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After winning the Russian Grand Prix, the British driver and the Russian President faced each other for the first time since 2015. But Putin joked Hamilton: “I’m used to lending you something every year.”
But the seven-time world champion immediately took the opportunity and said: “This year I will not spray you with champagne. It wasn’t me last year. It was someone else! “
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And that’s what happened. Lewis Hamilton kept his word and did not spray champagne on President Putin. But if he did it again, we’ll leave it up to you to imagine what might have happened.
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