Police catch up with speeding F1 ace

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Reims - Formula One star Lewis Hamilton has been banned from driving in France after speeding, a police spokesperson has confirmed.

The 22-year-old Briton, who was runner-up in the world drivers' championship in his debut season this year, has been banned for a month.

He was caught speeding at 196km/h in a Mercedes-Benz on Sunday night. He was stopped by police on a freeway near the northern town of Laon.

The speed limit on French freeways is 130km/h.

"Hamilton admitted the offence immediately and was really very polite," a police spokesperson said on Tuesday.

He added that Hamilton had said in his defence that the road was "very clear" at the time.

"It's a section of motorway that is used regularly by foreigners who have a tendency to speed," the spokesperson said.

The McLaren team driver was also ordered to pay a fine of €600 (about R6 000).

He is scheduled to appear in a court in Laon next month.

Hamilton's car was impounded immediately by the police and then collected on Monday by a friend.

"(Hamilton's team) McLaren were made aware that Lewis was stopped for speeding in France while he was driving in a private capacity," said a spokesperson for the British team, based in Woking, south of London.

"We understand he has received a mandatory fine and suspension from driving in France for one month," the team spokesperson added.

Hamilton finished the racing season one point behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. - Sapa-AFP