Hamilton Eyes Third Win, Kubica Aims To Start At French Grand Prix

Topics:  French Grand Prix

Anthony Fontanelle
June 29, 2007

The eighth race of the season is just around the corner and teams are already making their preparations for the French Grand Prix. The race will be held at the Circuit de Nevers in Magny-Cours. Going into the said race, rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton is eyeing his third consecutive win while BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica is hoping that he will be permitted to drive again.

Lewis Hamilton has won back-to-back wins at the North American leg of the current Formula One season. At the French Grand Prix, he will be aiming to take his third career win, the fourth consecutive for McLaren, and the fifth of the season for the team. The other wins for McLaren was posted by double world champion Fernando Alonso at the Malaysian and Monaco Grands Prix.

The last British driver that managed to take back-to-back wins was Eddie Irvine driving for Ferrari in 1999. And the last British Formula One driver to take three consecutive wins is Damon Hill. The son of Mr. Monaco, Graham Hill achieved his three consecutive wins in the 1996 season when he took the championship.

The rookie sensation, Hamilton, has lead in every race that he has participated in. He is also the first rookie to win a Grand Prix since Juan Pablo Montoya did it in 2001. Interestingly, it was Montoya who was replaced by Hamilton after the former’s decision to try stock car racing. Hamilton is also the first individual of African or Caribbean descent to participate and win in a Grand Prix.

Hamilton’s win at the United States Grand Prix is the 152nd win for McLaren in Formula One. The only team with more wins is Ferrari with 195.

At the United States Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel, driving for BMW Sauber in place of the injured Robert Kubica, became the youngest Formula One driver to score a point. The German driver placed eighth in his Formula One debut, good for a single point.

Vettel though is not expected to participate at the upcoming French Grand Prix as Kubica is positive that he will be permitted to compete on Sunday’s race. Kubica survived a 75-G impact in an accident at the Canadian Grand Prix which totaled his car and would have disintegrated his car’s BMW turn signal light if it had one.

“I can't wait to be racing again. But whether or not I can depends on the decision of the official doctor, whom I have to consult before the race in Magny-Cours,” said Kubica.

The Polish driver claimed that the accident which he survived will not affect his driving. He also pointed out that he knows the risk of his profession and is not afraid to get back behind the wheel again. “I always knew with a single seater and open wheels an accident could happen - and it can always happen again. It is the same for every driver, and we are all aware of it, but I feel what happened is more encouraging than worrying thanks to the outcome - that you still can climb out without being hurt,” he expressed.

The accident met by Kubica at the Canadian Grand Prix is considered the most horrifying high speed crashes in recent memory. It is only due to safety features used in his car that Kubica was able to survive only with a minor concussion and a sprained ankle. Source:  Amazines.com