Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has celebrated his victory at the Sochi Grand Prix by spraying Russian President Vladimir Putin with champagne on the winners’ podium.

After being crowned victor of the Grand Prix race, Mercedes driver Hamilton took the moment to celebrate in his traditional extravagant style.

The President had handed Hamilton the winner's trophy just moments before, after standing in silence for the national anthem.

Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has celebrated his victory today at the Sochi Grand Prix by spraying Russian President Vladimir Putin with champagne on the winners’ podium

Mercedes driver Hamilton took first place today, ahead of Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, and Force India driver Sergio Perez of Mexico

President Putin stepped up to congratulate the British driver on the podium, taking some time away from his activities in Syria to share in celebrations.

After enjoying Hamilton's moment of glory, the Russian leader was ushered off stage after a quick wave to the crowd.

Viewers have been quick to turn to Twitter, posting their concerns for Hamilton’s well-being after the incident.

‘Putin responds by giving his political opposition kill-squad Lewis Hamilton’s home address. Nice knowing you Lewis,’ wrote one.

Another added: ‘How long until Lewis Hamilton is found dead in his bathtub?’

A third added: ‘You best watch your back brother, soaking Putin not a good idea when he can bomb you from 1,000 miles away!!!’

But the pair enjoyed more than one cosy moment at the event, and even shared a post-race hug in the drivers’ room before Hamilton headed to the podium.

The racing driver also told President Putin that Russia is a 'beautiful country'.

Hamilton is well-known for his celebration antics, although this latest comes as something of a step up from previous targets.

Earlier this year Hamilton came under fire for spraying a hostess in the face with champagne after winning the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Liu Siying was pictured grimacing as Lewis Hamilton sprayed champagne at her face after winning the race

Sexism campaigners called Hamilton's behaviour 'selfish', saying that it ruined what should have been a moment of celebration

A leading anti-sexism organisation criticised his behaviour as ‘selfish and inconsiderate’.

‘The woman is not just being splashed,’ said Roz Hardie, chief executive of Object, a campaign against media sexism, after the incident in April.

‘The champagne is being very specifically directed into her face, which does not look like a voluntary piece of horseplay on her part.’

She added: ‘It is surely a very difficult position to be a grid girl and she would have had little option but to stand there and take it.

‘That is something of which he should be aware. But instead, he appears to have abused her position.’

Hamilton took first place today, ahead of Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, and Force India driver Sergio Perez of Mexico.

President Putin leaves the winners' podium spattered with foam from Lewis Hamilton's champagne celebrations

President Putin leaves the winners' podium today in Sochi, after handing Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton the winner's trophy

Mercedes clinched their second successive Formula One constructors’ championship, with Hamilton taking a huge stride towards his third drivers’ title.

Hamilton took his ninth win of the season and 42nd of his career after a throttle problem forced the early retirement of German teammate Nico Rosberg, at the Sochi Autodrom today.

The Briton now has a lead of 66 points over Ferrari’s second-placed Vettel and, if results go his way, can secure his own second successive crown in Austin, Texas , in two weeks’ time.

Mercedes team bosses had left the circuit long before the constructors’ title was confirmed, however, with the outcome depending on a stewards’ enquiry that eventually demoted Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen from fifth to eighth.

It comes just months after Hamilton came under fire for spraying a hostess in the face with champagne after winning the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai

Hamilton took his ninth win of the season and 42nd of his career after a throttle problem forced the early retirement of German teammate Nico Rosberg, at the Sochi Autodrom today

‘We found out [about the title] upstairs,’ Hamilton said. ‘It just feels special to be a part of it and to have contributed to a team success.

‘It is a great, great, great feeling.’

Meanwhile, Russia’s warplanes continued to pound Syria for the 11th straight day today, and claimed to destroy an ISIS command post in the western Latakia province.

Moscow claims to be targeting ISIS and other terror groups, but western governments have accused it of propping up Assad in his fight against moderate rebel groups – some of whom have received cash and training from the United States.

Lewis Hamilton and President Vladimir Putin celebrate together on the winners' podium after the Mercedes victory in Sochi

Meanwhile, Russia’s warplanes continued to pound Syria for the 11th straight day today, and claimed to destroy an ISIS command post in the western Latakia province

Lewis Hamilton is surrounded by the race 'grid girls' after he gave Vladimir Putin a champagne soaking