'Tombstoning' crazy Hamilton launches himself from 45-foot high cliff

British Formula One racing driver Lewis Hamilton reportedly left onlookers horrified as he launched himself off a 45-feet cliff, tombstoning into the sea just days before the Italian Grand Prix.

The recent clash between Formula One rivals Hamilton and Nico Rosberg reportedly seems to have pushed the British driver over the edge. Hamilton and Rosberg were at each other's throats after the last race in Belgium when the German ran into the back of his Mercedes teammate on the second lap, puncturing his tyre and forcing him out of the race.

A relaxing beach holiday in Sardinia with friends was meant to have been the perfect antidote for the frustrated Hamilton, but watched by his pals, the driver was seen climbing the rocks up the cliff edge before leaping into the sea, The Mirror reported.

One witness said that it was a real shock to see Hamilton jumping from the rocks, adding that he is one of the most famous sportsmen in the world and one does not expect to see him doing something like this.

The witness said that the Mercedes racer might put his life in danger every time that he takes part in Formula One, but one knows that racing drivers have taken every safety precaution possible.

However, the witness added that all that Hamilton had for protection when he leapt from the rocks was a pair of swimming trunks.

In the past decade, the dangerous 'tombstoning' craze, given the name because jumpers try to stay upright as they hit the water, has caused 20 deaths and 76 serious injuries in the UK alone, the report added.