Hamilton Concedes Tax a Factor in His Move

The 22-year-old McLaren driver was criticised after he announced last month that he was leaving Britain to protect his privacy.

Formula One runner-up Lewis Hamilton has recognised that tax considerations played a part in his recent decision to move from Britain to Switzerland.

The 22-year-old McLaren driver was criticised after he announced last month that he was leaving Britain to protect his privacy.

However, in an interview with chat show host Michael Parkinson on ITV television on Friday, Hamilton conceded he had also been advised to move for tax reasons.

"Also, that definitely adds to it," he said.

Hamilton, the first black Formula One driver, can expect his earnings to soar after a sensational debut season in which he won four races.

"He will make a huge amount from sponsorship over a long career, easily in the (David) Beckham class and beyond," Dominic Curran, director of the Karen Earl sponsorship consultancy, said before last month's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.