Hamilton considered F1 future

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton admits the increased scrutiny on him following the 'lie-gate' scandal made him question his long-term future in the sport.

The 24-year-old was disqualified from the Australian Grand Prix and forced to apologise for "misleading" race stewards, a misjudgement which cost McLaren's technical director Dave Ryan his job and may have contributed to Ron Dennis' decision to sever his ties with F1.

And Hamilton, who has said in the past that his decision to move to a tax haven in Switzerland was partly motivated by a desire to have more privacy, told The Sun: "I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to be here for the next five years."

He added: "There was so much going on. Do I want to be in the limelight with people slating me? Do I want to be in the spotlight where I can't even go to the fish and chip shop or the cinema and have fun without people taking pictures of me?

"But if I want to race this car and continue doing this, that's what I've got to do."

McLaren will find out their punishment for lying to stewards when they go before the World Motor Sport Council on Wednesday.