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Website admits Marko comment that incensed Hamilton was fake!

A sports website has admitted that a quote it attributed to Helmut Marko which prompted a scathing reaction from Lewis Hamilton was in fact false.

EssentiallySports.com published an article in which Marko labeled Hamilton's campaign against racism and the Mercedes driver's support for the 'Black Lives Matter' movement "a distraction".

The six-time world champion was quick to react to the dubious story, criticizing Marko on social media and admitting to being offended by the asserted comments. Except that Marko's so-called quote was picked up by Essentially Sports from a Twitter parody account!

'Offended' Hamilton tells Marko to wake up to racism!

The website issued late on Wednesday a formal apology to Helmut Marko, and explained its blunder.

"Earlier today we published an article containing quotes attributed to Dr Helmut Marko," it said.

"The quotes attributed to him were incorrect. The source of the information was not ‘RTL’ and instead a parody Twitter account.

"It was wrong for us to publish the news story without first establishing the veracity of the information. We sincerely apologise to Dr Helmut Marko and to Aston Martin Red Bull Racing."

Hamilton's 'stories' post on Instagram aimed at Marko has since disappeared.

But just as reporters should verify their sources before echoing unusual news or quotes, perhaps drivers should also conduct their due diligence before taking a prominent F1 figure to the woodshed!

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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.