F1 icon Lewis Hamilton was forced to deny spraying Vladimir Putin with champagne
Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton was once forced to deny showering Russian president Vladimir Putin with champagne.
Hamilton dismissed suggestions he covered Putin in alcoholic bubbly after winning the 2015 Russian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver took the chequered flag at the Sochi Autodrom ahead of then-Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel.
He then went up to receive his trophy for winning the race from none other than the Russian premier himself.
But as podium finishers Hamilton, Vettel and Sergio Perez celebrated the result with the customary spraying of champagne, Putin couldn't get out of the way time.
Images from the post-race festivities seven years ago show Hamilton unleashing fizz in the direction of the 69-year-old leader, who does not seem particularly amused.
Hamilton denied spraying Putin with champagne the day after the race.
"I actually didn’t. I didn’t actually spray him. I think there’s a weird picture but I didn’t spray him. I definitely don’t want anything (to happen),' he told Sky Sports.
However, some photographs appeared to show dark flecks of champagne foam on Putin's jacket as he exited the podium celebration.
Putin, the despotic leader who invaded Russia without reason last Thursday, won't have to worry about Hamilton getting champagne on his suit for the foreseeable future.
Formula One announced last week that the race at the Sochi Autodrom had been cancelled following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Do you think F1 will ever return to Russia? Let us know in the comments section.
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A statement read: "The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together.
"We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.
"On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances."
Other sports have since followed F1's lead, with Russia now banned from FIFA and UEFA competitions, as well as the International Ice Hockey Federation.
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