London, Apr. 4 : Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has described the controversy over his actions at the Australian Grand Prix as "the worst time of my life".

Hamilton issued an apology for his role in the decision which stripped Toyota driver Jarno Trulli of his third place in Melbourne.

Hamilton was accused of lying over the circumstances which led to the Italian being demoted to 12th in the standings after the race.

McLaren had claimed Trulli passed their driver while a safety car was on the track on lap 57.

But following the release of audio tapes, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) overturned the ruling, reinstating Trulli and stripping Hamilton and McLaren from the results.

"For me, this situation is definitely the worst time I''''ve experienced in my life," said the McLaren driver.

"I''''ve never felt so bad, for the world to think of me as dishonest. It''''s only right for me, as a human being, as a man, to put my hands up and tell you how sorry I am," Sky News quoted him, as saying further.

Hamilton said he had been misled by McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan, who has been suspended, into giving the wrong information at a stewards'''' meeting into the incident. (ANI)