A consumer group accused Giancarlo Fisichella of setting a bad example after the Italian formula-one driver was caught speeding in Rome.
Fisichella, who drives for Renault alongside formula-one champion Fernando Alonso, had his licence confiscated after being caught driving 148kph in a 60kph zone at dawn on Sunday, the news agency Ansa said.
The consumer group Codacons said in a statement that Fisichella’s speeding was ”a mistake and a bad example for many young people who admire him and follow him”.
The group said Fisichella’s explanation that he was rushing to see his sick son was not a valid excuse.
Fisichella told Ansa he was sorry about the incident, and that it would not affect his work to campaign for road safety. — Sapa-AP