LEWIS HAMILTON was accused of giving a ‘death stare’ to comedian Jack Whitehall at the British Grand Prix.
Whitehall accidentally bumped into Hamilton moments before Sunday’s thrilling race, while attempting to mingle with the drivers on the grid walk.
Hamilton was walking behind George Russell and Lando Norris, on their way to start the rainy race.
While Russell and eventual winner Norris passed through the cordoned off walkway without any problems, Hamilton was stopped in his tracks by Whitehall coming out in front of him.
The comedian had been signalled to quickly pass through by a Mercedes team member, before almost body-checking the seven-time world champion.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Whitehall said: “Just now when I was being invited to the grid I nearly body-checked Sir Lewis Hamilton.
“I don’t know whether I’m going to be invited back again, it was a very cold stare.”
The Bad Education star, who took his mum along to Silverstone, speculated that his icy reception may have been payback for past jokes about Hamilton.
Whitehall added: “Maybe that was for the jokes I made at F1 75 as well and not just the body-check.
“My mum is very excited to see Martin Brundle, and I brought her with me. She said that he is her hall pass, whatever that means…”
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Whitehall and Hamilton have met several times before, including on The Graham Norton Show seven years ago.
Despite the pre-race chaos, it didn’t affect Hamilton in the early stages at Silverstone.
After qualifying fifth, the 40-year-old moved up a place after overtaking ex-teammate Russell on the opening lap.
Max Verstappen initially kept his lead from the start, ahead of McLaren stars Oscar Piastri and Norris.
The Aussie driver soon got ahead just as rain started to fall heavily, but was handed a 10-second penalty after stewards said he drove erratically during the restart after the first Safety Car.
Piastri was penalised for slowing too much when preparing to lead the pack away following another Safety Car restart, while a spin for Verstappen moments later saw the Dutchman drop backwards.
As conditions changed and drivers started to switch to slick tyres later on, Piastri served his penalty during his final pit stop and Norris took the lead.
Nico Hulkenberg, 37, took his first podium finish at the 239th attempt – setting a new record for the longest time before finishing in the top three – after a strong race for Sauber.
The German managed to keep Hamilton’s Ferrari at bay in the closing laps as Verstappen came home fifth.
Meanwhile, Norris would later leave Silverstone with a cut on his face after a cameraman fell on top of him as a fence collapsed during his celebrations.
