REIMS (France), Dec 18: Formula One star Lewis Hamilton has been banned from driving in France for speeding, a French police spokesman confirmed on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Briton, who finished runner-up in the

world drivers’ championship in his debut season this year, has been banned for a month after being caught speeding at 196km/h (122mph) in a Mercedes by police on a motorway near the northern town of Laon.

The speed limit on French motorways is 130km/h (85mph).

“He admitted the offence immediately and was really very polite,” the police spokesman said, adding that Hamilton had said in his defence that the motorway was “very clear” at the time.

“It’s a section of motorway which is used regularly by foreigners who have a tendancy to speed,” the spokesman added.

The McLaren driver, who was also ordered to pay a 600 euro (865 dollar) fine, will appear before a court in Laon in January.

The car which was impounded was collected Monday by a friend of the driver.

“McLaren were made aware that Lewis was stopped for speeding in France whilst driving in a private capacity,” a spokesman for the British-team, based in Woking, south of London, said.

“We understand he has received a mandatory fine and suspension from driving in France for one month.”—AFP