Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has defended himself from the criticism surrounding his behavior at the Chinese Grand Prix, when he celebrated victory by spraying Champagne into the face of a podium hostess.

The British driver's behavior led to strong criticism on social media and at home.

Hamilton says his actions were nothing unusual and done ''through excitement.''

The hostess, Liu Siying, a 22-year-old graduate of the Shanghai Institute of Visual Art who works for a real estate company, told the Shanghai Daily News on Wednesday that the incident has been blown out of proportion.

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