Second Place Never Seemed So Sweet

Massive driving ability, matured confidence and unflinching determination, all while still appearing somewhat human. Characteristics of Mclaren Mercedes team driver Lewis Hamilton, a young man who ranks high on our list of “wish we were him.” Appearing that he may be destined for greatness, Hamilton finished second overall in the 2007 Formula One season, his first F-1 season by the way, to none other than Kimi Rikkonen. Having already clocked a win in the 08’ season with only three races out of the way, he seems ready to repeat last years performance if not best it. Lewis Hamilton, born January 7, 1985 is one of the youngest drivers to pilot an F-1 car, and may have already carved himself out a spot amongst the greats. Hamilton’s racing career begun in Kart at the age of eight in the Rye House Kart Circuit. Similar to another famous F-1 driver, Michael Schumacher, Hamilton’s Karting career lead to opportunities behind the wheel of ever more powerful and capable vehicles.



At the age of ten, Hamilton approached then Mclaren F-1 team boss Ron Dennis for an autograph, he told Dennis that he would someday be driving one of his cars, twelve years later Hamilton made true of his statement to Dennis. Championships in British Formula Renault, European Formula 3 and GP2 landed Hamilton a spot on Mclaren’s driver development program and shortly there after behind the wheel of the Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes. A British citizen, whose grandparents immigrated to the UK from Granada, he has become somewhat of a pop icon amongst the youth of Britain. With a sad finish in the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, finishing 13th overall and pushing him out of the points lead and into the third position, Hamilton looks to reclaim his rightful position atop the podium. The Spanish Grand Prix, April 27 will lend Hamilton just that chance. Stay tuned to Cold Track Days for more driver profiles and event info.