Video: Lewis Hamilton Does Donuts, Drives Down NYC's 5th Avenue in Mercedes F1 Car

If you thought New York City traffic was bad enough before, just imagine being stuck behind Lewis Hamilton.

The Formula One star got behind the wheel for a ride down Fifth Avenue in the Big Apple. In addition to briefly speeding down the well-known thoroughfare, he pulled off a few donuts.

Hamilton's appearance was part of a public relations event between Mercedes and WhatsApp, who began an official partnership last November, and coincided with the first event of the Formula One season on American soil.

The first practice session for the Miami Grand Prix is scheduled for Friday with the race getting underway Sunday at 4 p.m. ET.

Hamilton will hope this is the weekend his farewell campaign with Mercedes kicks into gear. The seven-time F1 champion is just ninth in the driver standings and hasn't placed higher than seventh through five races.