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Sao Paulo GP stewards investigate Lewis Hamilton for removing seat belt on slowing down lap

A representative of the Mercedes team has been called to the stewards after Lewis Hamilton removed his seat belts on the slowing down lap of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Video footage from Hamilton's car showed him remove his right shoulder strap to wave to the crowd and pick up a Brazilian flag from a marshal after winning the race from tenth on the grid.

The moment was reminiscent of Ayrton Senna's 1991 victory at the same circuit after he won his first Brazilian Grand Prix.

The stewards noted that Hamilton removing his belts was a an alleged breach Appendix L Chapter III Article 4 of the FIA International Sporting Code, which states, "Drivers must be properly restrained in their seat by safety belts in conformity with the technical regulations for the vehicle concerned, at all times during a competition when it is mobile on a circuit, pit lane, special stage or competition course.