New Zealand Police Investigate Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is refusing to answer questions about a motorcycle incident in New Zealand, despite being investigated by the police. As reported by The Telegraph, Formula One world champion Hamilton posted Snapchat videos of himself riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The problem is that in New Zealand, just like the U.K. and Monaco where Hamilton lives, it is illegal to use a cellphone while driving.

The incident came to light when a journalist questioned Hamilton at a press conference in Melbourne held on March 17, prior to the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. According to The Guardian, Lewis, who drives for Mercedes, was asked if he thought that taking selfie videos while riding a motorcycle in New Zealand set a good example to others. Hamilton’s reply was short and to the point.

“I don’t have much of an answer for you, unfortunately.”

The police in Auckland, New Zealand, investigated the snaps posted by Hamilton but are not going to proceed further. In a statement a police spokesman explained that the videos were not deemed as “evidence.”

“‘If there is clear evidence that a mobile phone has been used to record this footage and it has been recorded by hand, as opposed to from a fixed device, then this would be deemed an ‘offence.’ But after investigating the incident the police said they would be taking no further action because of a ‘lack of evidence.'”

Hamilton has been spending a short break in New Zealand before the start of the 2016 Formula One season. He has been keeping fans up to date of his exploits in New Zealand via Twitter.

Hamilton is known for being controversial, and the motorcycle selfies haven’t been the only time Lewis has misstepped. Apparently, he and his friends flew economy to New Zealand, although he thought their actual destination “might be China because there’s a lot of Chinese people on this plane!”

After helpfully recording his comments on an in-flight snap, Hamilton had fun with the Snapchat face-swap feature. He did at least remark how beautiful New Zealand is upon landing, and he later filmed himself hitting a golf ball off a mountain (it was biodegradable).

Hamilton’s last comment on the snap from the New Zealand flight is telling about what boundaries, if any, he thinks he has.

“Want to hear something funny? Every time I post something [and] people are upset about it, they contact Mercedes…like the newspapers been calling Mercedes. But do I look like I’m bothered?”

The 2016 Formula One season is a big deal for Lewis; not only is he the reigning world champion, but if he wins this year, too, he will be the first British driver to win four championship titles. Still only 31-years-old, Lewis has a nice collection of F1 records, including most wins in a debut season and youngest driver to lead a world championship.

Hamilton has somewhat of a reputation for speaking his mind, and he is clearly unimpressed with some of the safety and qualifying measures being looked at by the FIA, as previously reported by the Inquisitr. Although the New Zealand police won’t be bringing charges against Lewis, the fact that he was even investigated will only add to Hamilton’s “bad boy” persona.

Not to be content with testing the New Zealand police, Hamilton also got into a spat with a casino, reports The Mirror. Although he has since deleted the post, Hamilton tweeted that he was not happy with the Sky City Casino.

“Don’t ever go to the sky city casino in Auckland, they treated me like dirt. Can’t believe how rude they were. Worst casino experience ever!”

The casino had asked Lewis “to remove his sunglasses and hat,” but it was apparently a misunderstanding with Hamilton not realizing the dress codes in New Zealand casinos.

Lewis is obviously fond of New Zealand though, judging by the rather beautiful pictures he posted on Instagram.

Hamilton was keen to leave New Zealand on good terms, promising he’ll be back. Let’s hope he turns off his phone next time he goes for a ride.

[Photo by Moises Castillo/AP Images]