Formula One Rookie To Show Mettle At Canadian Grand Prix

Topics:  Lewis Hamilton, Canadian Grand Prix

Anthony Fontanelle
June 6, 2007

McLaren rookie driver Lewis Hamilton has broken record after record in the fastest motorsport in the planet. The British driver became the youngest individual to secure a Formula One contract while he was just thirteen years old. He also became the first driver of African or Caribbean descent to compete in Formula One. Hamilton is also the youngest driver to lead the driver’s championship after he placed second at the Spanish Grand Prix. He is also the only rookie driver to have finished in the top three after all his five races so far this season.

Currently, Hamilton is tied in points with teammate Fernando Alonso in the driver’s championship. Technically though, Alonso is number one on the standings owing to the fact that he has won two races this season while Hamilton is yet to win a race. This fact points out Hamilton’s consistency as he posted a third place finish at the first race season and, after that, he took every second place.

The British driver is now eyeing his first win in his Formula One career. His next chance will be at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada which would be hosting the Canadian Grand Prix. “I cannot wait to get back on track and continue to focus on racing,” says the rookie driver. It can be remembered that the rookie was caught in the middle of a controversy after the Monaco Grand Prix.

After the said race, the FIA, the governing body of the sport investigated the McLaren Mercedes Team on the charge that the team may have violated the “team order” restriction. It was investigated since Hamilton was apparently told not to overtake his teammate Alonso during the race. After the investigation though, the FIA found out that the team did not violate any rule saying: “McLaren were able to pursue an optimum team strategy because they had a substantial advantage over all other cars. They did nothing which could be described as interfering with the race result.”

With that controversy over, Hamilton, Alonso and the team can now concentrate on the task at hand. And that is preparing their Formula One cars, the McLaren MP4-22 that comes equipped with a Mercedes-Benz FO 108T engine functioning well with the help of the Mercedes alternator and all the necessary components.

Hamilton specifically needs to familiarize himself with the circuit. “This will be my debut at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve,” Hamilton said. While this may look as a disadvantage for the rookie driver, he is confident that he will perform well at the Canadian Grand Prix. “Because of the chances there are to pass, it looks like a great track to compete on,” said Hamilton.

“It has some very distinctive characteristics, such as the low grip, the long straights, hard braking and so on. My initial laps will focus on understanding all these and how best to drive the track to get good times. I have completed preparation work with my engineers at the McLaren Technology Centre specific to Canada and the US, and it will be great to finally take to the track,” said the young driver.

The race is scheduled on the tenth of June and the world will be waiting whether Hamilton will take his first win of his budding Formula One career.

Source:  Amazines.com