Watch: Will Smith Interrupts Lewis Hamilton's Race Prep, Ticks Off Bucket List

Lewis Hamilton had a very unconventional start to Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and admitted that he feared that he had messed up his concentration by not following the usual process.

The reason for the Mercedes driver altering his pre-race preparation ritual was Hollywood star Will Smith. The atmosphere at the Yas Marina Circuit was one that was relaxed since the Silver Arrows team had already wrapped up both the titles – the Constructors’ and the Drivers’ championships.

Hamilton went on to claim a comfortable win ahead of Sebastian Vettel, but one of the best moments of the weekend came before the five red lights went out. In a play for the cameras, visuals showed the British racer strapped to a chair and Smith convincing him that he can drive the Mercedes car instead.

The Briton ensured that he played his part by acting squeamish in the chair and threatening to “whup” the American movie star. Smith then disappears from the shot when Hamilton can be heard telling him: “You better win man!”

"I'm sorry. Look, here's the deal. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, man! You already won, man! Just save something for other people. You black, I'm black, ain't nobody gonna know the difference,” Smith said trying to convince Hamilton to let him race.

The charade continued into the Mercedes garage, where first Smith appears in Hamilton’s overalls ready to race – but is later seen being dragged away from the car by security.

Hamilton seemed to have enjoyed a different start to his race day in Abu Dhabi and praised Smith during his post-race press conference. The Briton even referred to the Hollywood A-lister as his “big brother."

"We had an unconventional weekend, as yesterday morning we were filming something with FIFA and Sony. Then this morning, we did various stuff with Will,” Hamilton said, according to ESPN. "Will is the original hype man, he is hyper, he brings a lot of energy. He is really like a big brother to me. We were doing some filming and stuff like 10 minutes before I got in the car, which I never do, as that is usually the period of time I get ready, so I was going into the race having completely changed my pattern."

Smith, meanwhile, could not hide his excitement during the course of the race weekend in Abu Dhabi. The Mercedes driver and the American actor seemed to share a close bond as it was Smith that first came on the radio during the Mexico Grand Prix to congratulate the Briton after he had clinched his fifth world championship.

"Hey Lewis, congrats man! That's how you do it, baby! Just like I taught you! That's how, that's how you do it! Just like that! That's how you are supposed to drive!" Smith said.

The 50-year-old revealed he had spoken to Hamilton about attending a race and being in the thick of the action for several years and revealed that it was part of his bucket list. For the first time in recent memory, there was a non-driver part of the pre-race driver’s parade.

"This is fantastic," the Hollywood star said, according to ESPN. "Lewis and I have been talking about this for probably like five years, since the grand prix in Monte Carlo. That was the first time I ever came and I'm just speechless, I love this, this is so exciting.”

"I'm glad to be here to support my man. We've been talking about it for so long. I'm here with the world champ! This is just such a special honour for me. It's like... I'm doing a thing called the bucket list. I turn 50 this year and I decided I'm going to do everything I want to do. He granted the old man a wish!" he added.