Motor racing fans were left disappointed this morning after reports World Champion Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was coming to Croydon were unfounded.

National radio and television stations reported the new F1 champ was due to arrive at McLaren’s offices in Croydon today to meet up with senior staff following his win at the weekend.

ITV’s GMTV, Magic, Kiss and Capital Radio all announced Hamilton’s homecoming plans sparking immediate interest among petrol heads in the town.

But a spokesman for McLaren Automotives said Hamilton had no plans to appear in Croydon and was in fact at their headquarters in Woking.

She said: “We don’t have offices in Croydon, although we are quite glad the mistake was made as no-one showed up here to see Lewis.”

One Croydon fan said: “I am really gutted I was looking forward to seeing him after his victory. I have no idea how this mix up could have happened.”