Five times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton issued a clarification on Thursday of his comments about how he had felt 'conflicted' to be racing in 'a poor place' like India during the years when the country hosted a grand prix.
In a recent interview, Hamilton called India "a poor place" and even went on to say that he felt conflicted when he came to race in the Indian Grand Prix.
"I've been to Vietnam before and it is beautiful. I've been to India before to a race which was strange because India was such a poor place yet we had this massive, beautiful grand prix track made in the middle of nowhere. I felt very conflicted when I went to that grand prix," Hamilton told BBC Sport.
But his comments did not go down well with Indian fans, who reminded Hamilton that the popularity of the sport is immense in the country.
Lewis Hamilton faces social media backlash after questioning Indian Grand Prix
The 33-year-old Briton took to social media on Thursday, saying he had noticed some people had been upset by his comments.
"My reference was that a grand prix there felt strange to drive past homeless people and then arrive in a huge arena where money was not an issue," explained Hamilton on Instagram and Twitter.
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton says he felt conflicted racing in India
"They spent hundreds of millions on that track that is now never used. That money could have been spent on schools or homes for those in need.
"When we did have the race, nobody came because it was too expensive most likely or no interest. However I have met some amazing Indian fans," added Hamilton, who won his fifth title in Mexico last month.
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Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 15, 2018
Fans also pointed out that India's fast-growing economy is now the world's sixth largest.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said Hamilton's earlier words and meaning had been "spun out of context".
"He spoke with empathy about India and the painful contrast between wealth and poverty that we face while travelling the globe as sporting ambassadors," the Austrian said in a statement issued by the reigning champions.
"He did not criticise the nation and his words were those of a thoughtful and considered champion."
India hosted three grands prix at the Buddh International circuit south of the capital New Delhi from 2011-13.
All three were won by German driver Sebastian Vettel, then champion with Red Bull.
The race was dropped from 2014 due to a number of factors, including a tax dispute and bureaucratic hurdles faced by teams.
The little-used circuit has since hosted a number of domestic championship races, and used by car manufacturers for track days.
(With Reuters inputs)