F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Hamilton admits maiden shoey 'didn’t taste great'

Lewis Hamilton unexpectedly indulged in a "shoey" on the Emilia Romagna GP podium, but the Mercedes driver said the bubbly "definitely didn't taste great".

At Imola, Daniel Ricciardo was about to mark his second podium of the season with his trademark sip of champagne from his racing boot during the post-race ceremonial.

But much to the Renault driver's surprise, race winner Hamilton asked to join in with the Aussie who was more than happy to take off his other boot and fill it with the celebratory wine.

However, Hamilton admitted having struggled with an unpleasant aftertaste!

"It definitely didn’t taste great," said the soon-to-be seven-time world champion. " mean I don’t really like champagne as it is, but it definitely tastes worse.

"But what’s positive is that Daniel’s mum thinks I was a good sport, so I’m grateful for that.

"I think Daniel had said that I’d once said never that I would never do it. So there’s a lesson – never say never. It was a good moment."

Hamilton's bold turnaround impressed Ricciardo who called the jubilant moment of complicity "majestic".

"I took my right shoe off, poured it, and was about to salute the mechanics," he said. "And I heard Mr Hamilton asking me to take my left shoe off. He also drank out of my shoe today. So we shared one today, and it was majestic.

"And fun fact for everyone, I think it was three years ago on the podium he said he will never, ever drink out of my shoe, and in 2020 strange things are happening.

"I was very adamant that I would get him to do it one day, and here we go. So I didn't forget, and I’m very happy.

"Champagne is colder these days, I don't know if it's because we're approaching winter and it's cooler outside, but it does make the shoe experience slightly more tolerable."

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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.

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