Lewis Hamilton has caused controversy with a social media post mocking his young nephew for wearing a princess dress.

The 32-year-old uploaded the video to Instagram on Christmas Day, in which he turned the camera on a young boy wearing a pink outfit and carrying a pink wand.

"I'm so sad right now. Look at my nephew," Hamilton said. "Why are you wearing a princess dress? Is this what you got for Christmas? Why did you ask for a princess dress for Christmas?"

"Because it's pretty," the boy replied while waving his wand, before Hamilton informed him: "Boys don't wear princess dresses!"

The F1 world champion was widely criticised on social media and by LGBT groups for his comments, with some accusing him of humiliating a child online and for reinforcing gender stereotypes.

Hamilton subsequently deleted the video before posting an apology on Twitter. "Yesterday I was playing around with my nephew and realised that my words were inappropriate so I removed the post," he wrote. "I meant no harm and did not mean to offend anyone at all. I love that my nephew feels free to express himself as we all should.

"My deepest apologies for my behaviour as I realise it is really not acceptable for anyone, no matter where you are from, to marginalise or stereotype anyone.

"I have always been in support of anyone living their life exactly how they wish and I hope I can be forgiven for this lapse in judgement."

Hamilton won the 2017 championship by a 46-point margin.