Driving ace banned

Lewis Hamilton has been banned from driving in France after being caught speeding at 120mph, it emerged yesterday.

Hamilton's Mercedes was stopped by police near Laon doing 120mph – 40mph over the motorway speed limit. A spokesman for McLaren, his team, said: "McLaren were made aware that Lewis was stopped for speeding in France whilst driving in a private capacity.

"We understand he has received a mandatory fine and suspension from driving in France for one month." The spokesman stressed that the incident would not affect Hamilton's professional driving career.

Hamilton, who regularly hits speeds of more than 200mph on the racetrack, achieved enormous fame in his rookie season, breaking numerous records and leading for much of the world championship. But the Mclaren driver finished second, one point behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, in the 2007 world championship .

Michael Schumacher, the seven-times F1 champion, also courted controversy this month when he took over the wheel of a taxi, fearing he was running late for a flight.