ONE of the favourites for this weekend's formula one grand prix, Britain's Lewis Hamilton, is expected to be charged with improper use of a motor vehicle after being accused of doing burnouts in St Kilda.

Police sources would only confirm that a 25-year-old British citizen and resident of Switzerland would be charged on summons after an incident at 9.15 pm.

They said a 2010 silver Mercedes sedan had been impounded after a person entered Fitzroy Street from Lakeside Drive and proceeded to do burnouts.

It is not the first time Hamilton has had a Mercedes impounded. Less than three years ago, his car was impounded in France after he was caught speeding at 196km/h on a French motorway.

Race organisers appeared unaware of the incident last night, with corporate chairman Ron Walker saying he knew nothing about it.