Five-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton issues clarification on 'Poor India' comment

Just a day after he was attacked from all quarters on social media for his 'Poor India' comment, five-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has issued a clarification on his comments, stating he intended to show that money that was spent on tracks 'could have been spent on schools or homes'. Taking to Twitter to clear the air regarding his statement, the 2018 Formula1 champion wrote,

"I noticed some people are upset with my comment on India. My reference was that a grand prix there felt strange to drive past homeless people, then arrive in a huge arena where money was not an issue. They spent hundreds of millions on a track that is now never used. That money could have been spent on schools or homes for those in need. When we did have the race, nobody came because it was too expensive or most likely there was no interest."

It wasn't just Hamilton, but also his team F1 Mercedes which defended its driver's comments. Team Boss Toto Wolff, through his team's official Twitter handle, extended his support to his No.1 driver. His message read,

"Toto: “It is once again unbelievable to me how the words and the meaning of Lewis get spun out of context in this way. He spoke with empathy about India and the painful contrast between wealth and poverty that we face while travelling the globe as sporting ambassadors."

"Toto: ”Lewis did not criticise the nation and his words were those of a thoughtful and considered champion. The only fault here lies with the people who have twisted his words to mean something else entirely," he added.

READ: Lewis Hamilton Calls India "poor"; Draws Wrath From Netizens

While questioning the policy of systematizing races in different countries, post the announcement of the Vietnam Grand Prix, Hamilton, in an interaction with BBC, shared how he had been to India before for a race and mentioned how he felt it was strange because India was a poor country, yet had a massive Grand Prix track made in the middle of nowhere. He even said that he felt conflicted when he had to go to that Grand Prix.