Mercedes has refuted claims made by a fan that Lewis Hamilton gave away his third place championship trophy at the FIA Gala. The fan alleged that Hamilton had gifted the trophy to him, but Mercedes insists that this was not the case. Hamilton was present at the end-of-season prize-giving ceremony in Baku on Friday, where he accepted the trophy for finishing third in the Formula One Drivers’ Championship. The fan’s claim was widely reported, but it has been confirmed that the trophy remains in Hamilton’s possession.
“Immediately after leaving the stage, and as has been done at previous prize-givings, Lewis accepted the offer from officials for the trophy to be sent on to the team and therefore left it in their care,” said the spokesperson.
“We can confirm he did not give the trophy to anyone ‘as a gift’ as has been speculated.”
