Let drivers celebrate on the track - Hamilton

By Alan Baldwin

NUERBURGRING, Germany (Reuters) - Formula One drivers should be allowed to emulate MotoGP riders and celebrate in front of the fans on the track after races, world champion Lewis Hamilton said on Thursday.

The Briton delighted his home supporters at Silverstone last month when he performed several 'doughnuts', spinning the car in a wheel-smoking circle, after he finished well out of the points.

Although such manoeuvres are not allowed, the 24-year-old escaped punishment.

"Well, they couldn't give me a penalty really, could they?" he grinned, well aware his season so far has exceeded his worst fears with just nine points from eight races in a poorly performing car.

Hamilton drew a comparison with MotoGP, where Italy's world champion Valentino Rossi regularly entertains the crowd after his victories with a variety of cheeky stunts.

"Look at MotoGP, it is one of the most exciting races to watch because in the end they give even more back to the fans," he told reporters in the Mercedes grandstand at the German Grand Prix.

"It was my home grand prix and they (the fans) have stood by me through thick and thin, and I think it was incredible, the support I had," he said of Silverstone.

"Even at the end of the race they were still up supporting me and cheering me, even though it was a disastrous race, really. It was great fun, you know.