F1 Driver in Hot Water for Spraying Champagne Directly into a Grid Girl's Ear on the Podium

Source – Two-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton has won 35 times since entering the sport in 2007. His latest win came on Sunday at the 2015 Chinese Grand Prix. After each grand prix, it has became tradition in the 65-year-old sport for the top three finishers to stand at the top of the podium, listen to the national anthems of the winning driver and car manufacturer, before spraying champagne across the podium, at each other, at the fans and at anyone else who happens to be in the vicinity. However, Hamilton has came under fire after the most recent podium ceremony in which a photo was taken of him spraying champagne at a woman on the podium, who didn’t seem to be enjoying it too much.

According to the Daily Mail, Roz Hardie, CEO of Object, an anti-sexism group, is calling on Hamilton to apologize as “the photographs appear to show that the woman is not just being splashed, but that the champagne is being very specifically directed into her face, which does not look like a voluntary piece of horseplay on her part. “If this if the case we think Lewis Hamilton should apologize for his actions and think carefully about how he behaves in the future. For most people, it would be apparent that she is not enjoying it. It is surely a very difficult position to be a grid girl and she would have had little option but to stand there and take it. That is something of which he should be aware. But instead, he appears to have abused her position. “It’s unfortunate that a great victory has been marred by what appears to be selfish and inconsiderate behavior.”

It is not just Hardie who is asking Hamilton for an apology, however, with many individuals taking to Twitter and expression their dissatisfaction with Hamilton’s actions. This is not the first time that Lewis Hamilton has sprayed a podium girl with champagne and – in fact – it is an act that has been repeated by several drivers in various forms of motor sports over the years. This is surely not the last time we’ll hear about whether there is sexism within racing organizations as – just two weeks ago – the FIA WEC announced that it would no longer have grid girls at any of its races, which also sparked a lively debate amongst motor racing fans.

Oh? What she’s not enjoying it because she’s squinting? Seems pretty racist to assume that to me. Now I’m outraged, Internet. Maybe she enjoyed it? Did anybody ask her? Because if Asian porn is any indication, that’s pretty much the look on every single girl of Eastern descent’s face when they’re getting sprayed with stuff. I’m not saying I’m a bukkake expert or anything but I’ve seen enough to know that they all pretty much go the same. And the girls ALWAYS look uncomfortable. I’m pretty sure that’s what does it for Asian dudes. Seems silly to me because that’s what they signed up for. Maybe enjoy yourself out there. Just like if you sign up to be a grid girl you pretty much know you’re getting sprayed with champagne at some point. So you should go with the flow and act like you’re enjoying yourself. Who knows? Maybe she’s having a great time and she’s just bad at looking like she’s having fun.

Here’s some quick and dirty do’s and don’ts for post race celebrations for all the aspiring F1 drivers and grid girls out there

Don’t. Be a party pooper

Do. Look like USC song girls

Don’t. Turn your ear to the champagne. Pro tip: It’s tough to get Cristal(read: Andre) out with a Q-tip

Do. Look like you’re riding on a jet ski, splashing around in the surf with Kenny Powers

Don’t. Look like you enjoy it as much as Sebastien Vettel. Pull it back, bro

Do. Occasionally not spray everybody with the champagne. Keeps the grid girls on their toes and that makes their hineys look even better

P.S. One more do. Whatever these two are doing. Do that