Hamilton ED:27 APR 25/6/09 08:40 Page 125
concentration is off the scale for the whole race. Winning there last year Prix, the partnership remained on tenterhooks as both drivers con-
was one of the best experiences in my motor racing career.” tinued to race against each other, with the public favoring Lewis to
win. Alonso and McLaren terminated their contract by mutual con-
t was Hamilton’s successful shot to fame that has left it hard for sent at the end of the season, promoting Lewis to the first car.
I
him to follow his own footsteps. He began receiving attention for It’s suggested among certain members of the media that Lewis may
his success in Formula Three in 2005, and again in 2006, win- have carved an even greater name for himself – broken more records
ning the ART Grand Prix championship – becoming Fernando and achieved even greater victories – had he been ‘allowed’ to break
Alonso’s driving partner for F1 in 2007. free from his portioned supporting role to Alonso, but an FIA enquiry
In 2007, Lewis tasted his first huge moment of glory in his F1 career, vindicated McLaren.
winning pole position in the Canadian Grand Prix at Montreal – a city The following season did not start well for Lewis, but he was de-
that will always stay close to his heart. A week later he was still beam- termined, and knew 2008 was the year he would achieve world cham-
ing, after winning the US Grand Prix. pionship. The season was a combination of pole positions, accidental
However, his relationship with Fernando Alonso became tumultuous crashes and that infamous British Grand Prix win in the most diffi-
during this time – both drivers’ desperate bid to pop the champagne cult of conditions, Lewis himself stating it as being his most difficult
as McLaren’s number one led to his controversial pole position win and meaningful win. But the result was tremendous. Lewis clinched
of the Hungarian grand Prix later on in the season. Alonso had set the 2008 Formula One World Championship, becoming the youngest
the fastest time, but his contentious decision of preventing Lewis ever driver to win the title, as well as the first black driver.
from leaving the pit lane in time to complete his final qualifying lap Following his world championship win, Lewis has fixated on de-
¬– and ultimately blocking his chances of claiming pole position – fending his title within the 2009 season. He opened from the second to
led to his regulation and a complete break-down of the teammate re- last row of the grid, but following a gearbox problem, which led to a con-
lationship. Despite declaring restoration before the Turkey Grand troversial penalty, he was then moved to 18th place. He exceeded all ex-
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