LEWIS Hamilton should be the most popular athlete in Britain. He should stand for something bright and new. But things haven"t happened like that.

　　As the youngest ever champion in Formula One history, the 24-year-old British driver was keen （热切的） to defend his title this season. However, nearly every newspaper in the Western world called him a liar last week.

　　Near the end of his first race in Melbourne, Hamilton was told by one of his managers to make an illegal move. This is a charge that he and his team later denied （否认）. But then F1 officials played an audio recording （录音带） of the conversation.

　　Hamilton had to apologize. I can not tell you how sorry I am for the embarrassment, Hamilton said, his eyes full of tears. I feel awkward and uncomfortable.

　　But clearly he wanted people to believe it was not his fault. He was simply going along with team orders. I am not a liar or a dishonest person, I am a team player. If the team asks me to do something, I generally do it, Hamilton said.

　　One newspaper ironically （讽刺地） called his apology an impressive performance from the world champion.

　　If the FIA decides to ban McLaren and Hamilton for several races, Hamilton could choose to leave the team or may have to quit his sports career.

　　Being young, Hamilton did not perhaps understand the seriousness of his mistake. But he forgot the defending F1 champion has the added responsibility of defending the honor of the sport.

　　To recover （恢复） his name, Hamilton has a long way to go.

　　BONUS

　　lie和 liar 用法：

　　l lie n. 摶蜒詳, tell a lie 说谎

　　l lie v. 撍祷褦, lie to sb 对某人说谎

　　l liar n. 撍祷颜邤, 有单复数：a liar