Under-fire Hamilton has a message for the people of Stevenage

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Lewis Hamilton wants the good people of Stevenage to throw their "negative energy" to the side after comments made last weekend by the F1 star sparked a controversy in his home town.

While on stage at Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards event, Hamilton expressed his pride for what he has achieved in his sportsman's life, but clumsily used the word 'slums' to describe his hometown.

"It really was a dream for us all as a family to do something different. For us to get out of the slums," he said.

"Well, not the slums, but to get out of somewhere and do something. We all set our goals very, very high but we did it as a team."

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The Mercedes driver's poor choice of words drew the ire of the town's residents, with Stevenage Borough Council member Sharon Taylor immediately reprimanding Hamilton on Twitter.

"Disappointing that Lewis Hamilton chose to use this event to make negative comments about his home town," she tweeted. "Nowhere is perfect but we’ll go high & say we are #ProudofStevenage."

Reacting to the overblwon contestation, Hamilton also took to social media in an attempt to dissipate the anger.

"I wanted to take a second to send a message to people back in the UK but also to people in Stevenage, where I grew up, somewhere I’m incredibly proud of coming from and still love to this day," he said on Instagram.

"Please, if you are getting up in your feelings about a mistake I made on stage, don’t bother with it, throw it to the side, it’s negative energy you don’t need to hold.

"I’m super proud of where I’ve come from and I hope you know I represent in the best way I can always.

"Nobody’s perfect, I definitely make mistakes quite often and particularly when you’re up in front of a crowd, trying to find the right words to express the long journey you’ve had in life.

"I chose the wrong words, but I didn’t mean anything by it. Those of you who know me know I always mean love. So, God bless you, have a great day."

It's Christmas folks, so let's give Ham a darn break!

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.