<p><br /> McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton has been fined 500 Australian dollars (£288) for "behaving like a hoon" and performing boy racer stunts.<br /> </p><p><br /> The 2008 world champion was caught by police executing a "burnout" and "fishtail" - tricks in which wheels are intentionally spun and skidded - in front of fans ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in March.<br /> </p><p><br /> The 25-year-old was not in court to hear his punishment but his lawyer, Sandip Mukerjea, said Hamilton would plead guilty to the charge of improper use of a motor vehicle.<br /> </p><p><br /> He avoided conviction as it was a first offence, but will be forced to pay the 500 Australian dollar fine.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mr Mukerjea said his client suffered "embarrassment, humiliation and distress" as a result of the incident.<br /> </p><p><br /> The driver was in a borrowed Mercedes when he was seen performing stunts outside the Grand Prix track at Albert Park, Melbourne.<br /> </p><p><br /> Hamilton is due to compete in the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend and wrote twice to the court to explain his absence.<br /> </p><p><br /> Magistrate Clive Alsop said the British racing driver was a role model to young people and as such should have known better.<br /> </p><p><br /> "This is about somebody in a responsible position behaving like a hoon," he added.<br /> </p>
