Lewis Hamilton went viral for going full Tokyo Drift in wild Japan video but not everyone was thrilled
Published on Feb 12, 2026 at 2:36 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Feb 12, 2026 at 2:36 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
In 2022, Sir Lewis Hamilton went viral after going full Tokyo Drift in a wild video drifting a Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 sports car, but not everyone was impressed.
Ahead of that year’s Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton posted a video on his Instagram account showing him drifting the R34 and burning some rubber.
However, while the seven-time world champion clearly enjoyed himself, not everyone was impressed with the moves he had pulled.
In fact, Hamilton landed himself in hot water with one stunt, from none other than the company from which he had hired the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34.
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Lewis Hamilton drifted the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
There was no denying that the original video Hamilton posted was quite epic.
The Formula 1 driver was seen driving the car through the streets of Tokyo at night.
This included driving along the famous neon-lit Shuto Expressway.
After this, the world champion took it to a car park and began drifting it and doing donuts.
It looked like he was having the time of his life, in one of the greatest sports cars ever made.
Hamilton captioned the video with ‘I only like to drive on track, but I make exceptions.’
Clearly, this was one of those exceptions he was willing to make.
But the company from which the car was rented soon saw the video.
And after seeing it, they were not happy.
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The Formula 1 world champion was in trouble for the video
The Nissan came from Omoshiro Rent-A-Car.
As such an iconic car, the GT-R R34 is worth at least $250,000.
At the time, renting it from Omoshiro Rent-A-Car would have cost $249 per night.
But the company soon issued a statement on social media after seeing the video.
“This is a car from Omoshiro Rent-A-Car, but it was not taken with permission from our company. Such driving is strictly prohibited,” said the company.
Opinion from viewers was divided on the incident.
こちらはおもしろレンタカーの車ですが、これは弊社が許可をして撮影されたものではありません。このような走行は一切禁止しております。 https://t.co/5Ud0stH44t
— おもしろレンタカー (@omoshirorent) November 24, 2022
Some said Lewis Hamilton should have treated the car with more respect.
Others loved to see him hooning around in the Nissan sports car.
Despite Omoshiro’s annoyance, nothing else was said of the incident.
The original video is still on Hamilton’s Instagram account.
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a leading heritage steam railway in England.
