(ANSA) - Italian racing driver Giancarlo Fisichella had his driving licence confiscated on Sunday after he was caught speeding.
Police flagged down the Formula One driver at dawn on the outskirts of Rome where he was zipping along at 148 kph - almost 90 kilometres over the area speed limit.
Fisichella, who drives for Renault, told reporters afterwards that he was racing home to get to his sick child.
"I was with my wife at a friend's house at 4.30 in the morning having left our son with his nanny.
"The boy had a bit of a temperature and an earache when we went out but nothing serious. But then the nanny called us to say that his temperature had shot up, that he was crying and calling for his mother and that she couldn't calm him down.
"We were so worried, we jumped into the car and tried to get home as quickly as possible," he said.
"I realise that even in such situations, one should never speed. I am truly sorry and realise that what I did was totally wrong," Fisichella said.
"I remain strongly committed to road safety," he added.
