| Lewis Hamilton is the hottest property in F1 motor | | | | eighteen son". However, McLaren ended up signing |
| racing at the moment and the great thing is he's | | | | Lewis to their young drivers programme when he |
| British! A few months ago the name Lewis Hamilton | | | | turned 13 years of age and provided support for his |
| was relatively unknown to the general public, but he | | | | fledgling career as he progressed through the ranks |
| had made a name for himself among motor racing | | | | of karting and car racing, culminating in Lewis Hamilton |
| insiders and those who are Formula One or F1 fans. | | | | being given a full-time McLaren F1 Grand Prix drive for |
| His phenomenal rise to the top of Grand Prix racing | | | | the 2007 season. |
| began at the start of this season and has continued | | | | Motor racing insiders knew that prior to the Lewis |
| until Lewis Hamilton now leads the F1 World | | | | Hamilton F1 career, he was regarded as one of the |
| Championship standings after 8 races. | | | | most promising young drivers on the circuit. He won |
| Lewis Hamilton was born in the Hertfordshire town of | | | | several major karting titles including the European |
| Stevenage in January 1985. From a modest English | | | | Formula A championship in 2000. In 2003 he won the |
| family background, Lewis began racing go-karts when | | | | British Formula Renault championship after only a year |
| he was aged 8. It is very common for many of the | | | | in the car, attaining 10 race wins and 11 pole positions. |
| top motor racing drivers to start kart racing from a | | | | This is early proof that Lewis Hamilton is a very fast |
| very young age. Karting is just like F1 racing only | | | | learner. After a further 1 year gaining knowledge in |
| much smaller; there is even a karting World | | | | the prestigious F3 Euroseries, he won the F3 title in |
| Championship series. Young drivers gain valuable | | | | 2005 with a comprehensive 15 race wins and 13 pole |
| racing experience together with a grounding in all the | | | | positions. A year later he won yet another |
| qualities required to become a successful motor | | | | championship, winning the GP2 series championship in |
| racing driver as they climb up through the ranks. It | | | | his rookie year. The GP2 race series is the step |
| goes without saying that many of the top F1 teams | | | | below Formula One. |
| keep a close eye on the karting arena to get an | | | | It is clear that Lewis Hamilton has gained extensive |
| early idea of potential future racing superstars. | | | | experience on the McLaren young drivers programme |
| At the age of 10, Lewis Hamilton won the McLaren | | | | and has been extremely successful throughout. |
| Mercedes Championship of the Future series, and this | | | | Those who had not heard of Lewis Hamilton before |
| is where he first met Ron Dennis who is the owner | | | | he burst onto the F1 scene should not be surprised |
| and boss of the UK-based McLaren Formula 1 racing | | | | at his early successes in a Grand Prix car. Lewis |
| team. A 10-year old Lewis Hamilton apparently told | | | | Hamilton has a great race pedigree and is a proven |
| Ron Dennis that he wanted to race in Formula 1. It is | | | | winner. |
| said that Ron replied ".... Speak to me when you're | | | | |