Lewis Hamilton faced the media in Brazil just three days after crashing his car in Monaco.

Story highlights

Lewis Hamilton reveals Monaco car accident on eve of Brazilian GP

F1 world champion says he was exhausted and had a fever

Hamilton organized surprise party for his Mum after Mexico GP

CNN  — 

After running away with the Formula One world championship, Lewis Hamilton says he has run out of gas.

The Mercedes driver revealed he crashed his car in Monaco after “heavy partying” last weekend. He turned up for this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix a day late after taking time off to recover.

“I’ve not been well with a fever but I also had a road accident in Monaco on Monday night,” Hamilton explained on his Instagram account.

“Nobody was hurt, which is the most important thing. I made very light contact with a stationary vehicle.

“Talking with the team and my doctor, we decided together that it was best for me to rest at home and leave a day later.”

Hamilton posted the news to his fans, who he refers to as “Team LH,” but he also added: “Ultimately, it is nobody’s business, there are people knowing my position that will try to take advantage of the situation and make a quick buck.”

After arriving in Sao Paulo for the penultimate race of the 2015 season, the three-time world champion inevitably faced questions from the assembled media.

Both Hamilton and his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg always speak to reporters on the Thursday before a race weekend, while the British driver also has obligations with the UK press.

Hamilton explained that his busy schedule since the last race in Mexico 12 days ago had included throwing a surprise 60th birthday party for his mother Carmen in London last Sunday, the night before his Monaco prang.

“”It was a result of heavy partying and not much rest for 10 days. I am a bit run down,” Hamilton, who spent four more days in Mexico after the race, said in his BBC Sport column.

“When I got back to the UK, I was trying to organize my Mum’s 60th birthday. The party turned out great but by the end of it I was exhausted. I had been busy for two solid weeks and I basically collapsed.”

Although an element of mystery still surrounds Hamilton’s Monaco car crash, it’s not the first time the 30-year-old has been involved in driving drama off the track.

At the 2010 Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton was fined for dangerous driving after deliberately spinning his wheels and skidding on his way out of the Albert Park circuit. In 2007, when he was an F1 rookie, his car was impounded in France after he was caught speeding.

Hamilton, who wrapped up the 2015 world title at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas with three races to spare, is now focused on getting back to business in Brazil.

“I feel good, I’m on an up slope, so a lot closer to 100%” Hamilton told reporters at the Interlagos track. “I’m excited to be here. I’m definitely cherishing the moments I’m in the car.”

Tell us what you think of Hamilton’s crash on CNN Sport’s Facebook page