Woking victory parade for Hamilton called off

(GMM) A victory parade for Lewis Hamilton on the streets of McLaren's local town has been called off.

It is reported that civic leaders in Woking, located in the English county of Surrey, baulked at the $160,000 bill to provide security for the event.

"Given the council's financial position and the national and global economic climate, Woking Borough Council is unable to fund an event that would enable members of the public to safely participate in the celebrations," a town hall spokesman is quoted as saying by the Daily Star.

The last time Woking based McLaren crowned a new formula one world champion, thousands thronged the streets to see 1998 title winner Mika Hakkinen drive his Mercedes-powered single seater through the town.

McLaren did not comment.