Lewis Hamilton charged by Melbourne police

Melbourne: British Formula One star Lewis Hamilton has been charged over a street "burnout" performed outside the Australian Grand Prix in March.

Hamilton was charged with intentionally losing control of a vehicle in a summons served on his Australian solicitor last week. A Victoria state police spokeswoman confirmed Sunday that a summons was served on a 25-year-old Swiss resident.

The matter will be heard in Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 24, although it is not known if Hamilton will have to appear. The Belgian Grand Prix is August 29.

Hamilton had his borrowed Mercedes impounded under Victoria's so-called "hoon" laws on March 26 after he was allegedly intentionally spinning and skidding his tires at the entrance to the Grand Prix track at Albert Park.