Lewis Hamilton fined over burnout

Lewis Hamilton has been fined AU$500 for a burnout he did while in Melbourne for this year's Australian GP. Photo / Getty Images

Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton has been fined $500 (NZ$630) and avoided conviction for doing a burnout outside the Australian Grand Prix circuit in March.

Hamilton, 25, did not appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court today.

His lawyer, Sandip Mukerjea, said Hamilton was overseas but he would plead guilty to the charge of improper use of a motor vehicle.

Mr Mukerjea said Hamilton had publicly apologised over the incident and suffered "embarrassment, humiliation and distress" after he was denounced in the media.

But magistrate Clive Alsop said Hamilton was a role model for young people which put the onus on him to behave responsibly.

"This is about somebody in a responsible position behaving like a hoon," Mr Alsop said.

He said he would not record a conviction as it was the first offence of its kind by Hamilton.

Hamilton has written two letters to the court explaining why he could not be present on Tuesday.

- AAP