Reims - Formula One star Lewis Hamilton has been banned from driving in France after speeding.

The 22-year-old Briton, who was runner-up in the world drivers' championship in his debut season this year, has been banned for a month.

He was caught speeding at 196km/h in a Mercedes-Benz on Sunday night. He was stopped by police on a freeway near the northern town of Laon.

The speed limit on French freeways is 130km/h.

"(Hamilton's team) McLaren were made aware that Lewis was stopped for speeding in France while he was driving in a private capacity," said a spokesperson for the British team.

Hamilton finished the racing season one point behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.
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