LEWIS HAMILTON was left baffled by a message from Richard Hammond ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.
The seven-time Formula One world champion was seen at a Ferrari fan event before the weekend’s race in Shanghai.
While on stage, the host said they had a special surprise for Hamilton, before showing the 41-year-old a message from former Top Gear host Richard Hammond.
Hammond, 56, sent the F1 driver well-wishes ahead of the race, courtesy of Shell, which has worked with Ferrari for 75 years.
Hamilton was all smiles at the end of the message, and was asked if he wanted to say anything back to the motoring journalist.
However, Hamilton immediately admitted he was confused by the message.
He told the event host: “I’ve never met him before, I don’t really know him so.”
That prompted laughter from himself and the crowd.
He added: “I’ve seen him on TV a couple times but…
“That was very strange, I was not expecting to see him of all people.
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“Why did you choose him?
“I don’t know it could’ve been anyone, I don’t know but it’s nice, the message was really nice, thank you so much…
“But no, I grew up watching his show, so it caught me by surprise…
“He’s a Shell ambassador?”
After fans questioned Hamilton’s claim, stating the fact he’d been on Top Gear twice, ex-host Jeremy Clarkson confessed: “In Lewis’s defence, James and Richard never met the guests.”
Hamilton narrowly missed out on a podium at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after his team made yet another strategy blunder by not pitting him or team-mate Charles Leclerc under two Virtual Safety Cars.
That blunder handed the advantage to Mercedes, who secured a 1-2 with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
