(FIA) Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Paris

I was just watching a video on formula1.com and there was a notable absence :-(
https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2017/1..._induction.html

"There was one notable absentee on Monday, however, as Lewis Hamilton skipped the Paris ceremony to attend the Fashion Awards 2017 at London's Royal Albert Hall on Monday night..."
By GLEN WILLIAMS FOR MAILONLINE

People have noted his absence from the ceremony on his Facebook page and they're not impressed, they're letting him know as well along with a few comments over this picture he posted.

4 times world champion and he misses the ceremony for getting into the hall of fame for a fashion show where he poses with McGregor lol

I guess it could be argued he is doing more to promote F1 to a wider audience than the FIA! Probably should have gone to the FIA awards though.

Reminds me of something that James Hunt would have done.

I can’t think of two drivers that are more different.

The similarity is that both of them do/did what they want away from the car. No driver could get away with what James Hunt did now (apart from anything they wouldn't be allowed near the car due to minimal amount of blood in alcohol stream) but the ability to drive despite enjoying life is common. James Hunt had plenty of people not liking his lifestyle (Murray Walker included) when racing just as Lewis Hamilton has.

For me, as racing drivers it is what they do in the car that matters, I don't really care what they do away from the track.

Not sure that any driver now "Does what they want". The sponsors, via the teams own every part of them, from the shoes on their feet to the watch on their wrist.

Hamilton is not a rebel outsider out of the car, he's a corporate shill, like the rest of them.

I agree with Andy; in as much as drivers hold any influence, the future of F1 is largely in the hands of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. They reach beyond the standard middle aged white motorsport fan, unlike most. Increasing the fanbase is crucial to the survival of the sport.

James Hunt was a very different character to Hamilton, but they both pursue(d) their lifestyle of choice away from the track. Although people may not like the way either or both conduct themselves, their lack of willingness to conform invites comparison.

Away from the track (as opposed to simply the car), his choice of corporate enslavement is very much more his own than most drivers. Hamilton understands his enormous value to the sport, which gives him a huge amount of freedom compared to most.