Fans blast Hamilton's 'bad taste' ski photos: F1 driver posts snaps online as Schumacher lies in coma



Some of the images on his Instagram page show him without a helmet

Formula One star has been accused of acting in 'horrendously bad taste'

Other fans say he is not being disrespectful and told critics to 'grow up'



Hamilton has tweeted message of support to Schumacher and his family



Lewis Hamilton came under fire yesterday for posting photographs of his ski holiday online while Michael Schumacher lay fighting for his life in a coma.

The British Formula One driver uploaded pictures of his Christmas break on the slopes within days of Schumacher’s horrific ski accident in the French Alps.

Displayed via his Instagram account, the images show Hamilton, 28, smiling as he skis cross-country with one of his beloved pet dogs in his rucksack.

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'Horrendously bad taste': Lewis Hamilton has been criticised by Formula One fans for posting this and other pictures online of him skiing as Michael Schumacher fights for life after his horror crash Several of the images uploaded to the Mercedes driver's Instagram page show him skiing without a helmet

He was criticised on Twitter for not wearing a helmet and for his ‘insensitive’ timing.

In another photograph he is seen wearing a helmet as he stands on the piste with his younger brother Nick, 21, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Hamilton wrote: ‘This was Christmas Day. I took my brother out on his ski chair, he did his first black run. He did amazing! Such a blessing to be with him & my family. God is good!!’

On social media sites such as Twitter and Instagram, some users said the photographs were in ‘bad taste’.

Comments included ‘Shame on you’ and ‘very insensitive given a certain ex race driver’s current condition in hospital’.

Another wrote: ‘He really should think a little and take these down before it harms his good name.’

Some fans came out in support of Hamilton, saying the pictures of him without a helmet were taken while he was hiking or cross-country skiing and that his critics should 'grow up' Holiday snaps: Hamilton also posted this picture on his Instagram page, saying he had taken his disabled brother, Nic, on his first black run in his ski chair

However, the majority of comments were supportive of the Stevenage-born racing driver.

One user wrote: ‘He has only posted one photo of him skiing and in that he had a helmet on. The other photos are of him hiking or cross-country skiing or walking. Is everyone to stop posting photos of snowy vistas or skis full stop? Grow up please.’

Another said: ‘He’s walking on snow. Not skiing. The others are cross-country which is like walking on snow too. Michael’s injury is awful but that shouldn’t stop anyone else enjoying the snow.’

Others explained that helmets are not usually worn for the activity.

‘Cross-country skiing is like “going for a walk” and you do not wear a helmet. Even not in competition,’ one wrote.

Hamilton tweeted a message of support to the seven-time champion and his family the day after his accident

Earlier in the week, Hamilton posted a get well message for Schumacher on Twitter, whom doctors yesterday described as being in a stable condition.

Hamilton said: ‘Mine & my family’s prayers & thoughts are with Michael & his family. I wish him a quick recovery. God Bless him. The Hamiltons.’



Seven-time champion Schumacher, who turns 45 tomorrow, is fighting for his life in a Grenoble hospital after falling and hitting his head on a rock in the resort of Meribel on Sunday.

He was airlifted from the ski run by a rescue helicopter, suffering from devastating brain injuries.

Schumacher has since undergone two operations to relieve a blood clot and pressure on his brain.

Sabine Kehm, the German sportsman’s manager, said yesterday: ‘Michael is monitored all the time, his condition was stable all night and this morning. It has not changed. It is too early to provide any further details.’

Doctors have said the retired Formula One driver has showed signs of ‘slight improvement’, but remains in a critical condition.

His family, including wife Corinna, 44, and their two children Gina-Marie, 16, and Mick, 14, have kept a vigil by his bedside since the accident.