Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton riles Kiwi cops with video-selfie

New Zealand police have been forced to renew warnings about using mobile phones while driving following a daring video-selfie from reigning Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton, who posted the video to social media, was filming himself riding a Harley-Davidson down the motorway, with the angle panning across his shoulder to show the traffic behind him.

Using a handheld mobile while driving is an offence in New Zealand, but police said the footage posted by Hamilton was inconclusive.

"The video footage available does not provide us with sufficient evidence that an offence has ocurred," they said in a statement.

"Police take the issue of mobile phone use whilst driving or riding very seriously, it is a significant distraction and a major risk to road users."

Hamilton was visiting New Zealand ahead of the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

He was stopped by police before the Melbourne race in 2010 for performing "burn-outs" on a public street in a high-performance sports car.