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Formula 1 Features & Interviews (2006)
F1 Feature - Hamilton's F1 Testing
04/12/2006
Lewis Hamilton stares at the wall of photographers. They're jostling for position, each trying to get the best picture of Britain's latest Formula 1 hotshoe. But Lewis - this year's Bridgestone-shod GP2 Series champion - ignores the flashbulbs. He has a job to do.
The lights on the dashboard of his McLaren MP4-21 flicker brightly. Within a few seconds, the Mercedes V8 behind his shoulders roars into life and the tyre warmers enclosing his Bridgestone Potenza grooved tyres are removed.
Lewis is about to begin his first laps as an official McLaren race driver, four days after being presented to the world as Fernando Alonso's 2007 team-mate.
He pulls into the Barcelona pitlane and accelerates towards the pit exit. A new chapter for the ex-GP2 champion has begun.
Bar an engine-mapping glitch, the test session passes without incident. Lewis ends the day with the sixth fastest time, only 0.8s slower than McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa. Physically, the 21-year-old from Hertfordshire has no problems coping with F1's high lateral g-forces and his performance leaves a positive impression on the McLaren test team.
Lewis still has a lot to learn before he flies to Australia for the first race of 2007, but when he lines up on the grid in Melbourne he will make history. He will be the first black driver to race in F1. His skin colour will no doubt attract a lot of headlines around the world, but you'd be mistaken if you thought that was the reason he got the nod over de la Rosa for the second McLaren seat alongside Alonso.
"He's talented and he's a really good driver," says WilliamsF1 star Nico Rosberg, who was Hamilton's team-mate in karting. "Driving the car fast will not be a problem for Lewis."
Lewis has won every championship that he's contested, and he will no doubt hope to do the same in F1. McLaren are being tipped as potential world champions next year, so Hamilton could have the necessary equipment underneath him to realise his race-winning ambitions. And that will bring pressure.
"There is no pressure from the team," says Lewis. "All the pressure on me will come from me. McLaren are in this sport to win races and I race to win as well. My target is to win a race at some point. Whether this is next season, or the year after, I cannot say. I can learn a lot from Alonso and I'm looking forward to it."
As Hamilton's pace in testing in Spain proves, he's getting up to speed quickly. Six days of testing remain prior to Christmas, giving him plenty of time to hone his skills behind the wheel.
"Driving around and doing reasonable lap times is not such a problem," he says. "But getting the car on the edge is tougher and way beyond anything I've driven in the past."
Give him time...
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