Lewis Hamilton
| Lewis Hamilton is one of the most recognisable sportsmen on the planet after his record-breaking entrance into Formula One. Nine consecutive podiums to begin his F1 career, four race wins and a string of mature drives in 2007 guaranteed Hamilton a place as one of Britain’s brightest sport stars for years to come.
Hamilton’s rise in Formula One sees him fulfilling the destiny that became clear during his two seasons in the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship. The 22-year-old from Tewin, Hertfordshire won the Formula Renault UK title in 2003 in blistering style racing for Manor Motorsport. After three podiums in the opening four rounds, he took 10 wins in his next 11 starts, a run broken only by failing to finish round nine at Donington Park. He had 11 pole positions and nine fastest laps from 15 rounds entered. It was at Rockingham where Lewis made his debut in the 2001 Formula Renault UK Winter Series finishing 15th and 4th. Racing in 2002 against drivers such as McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the year Jamie Green and eventual champion Danny Watts, Lewis took just five races, his ninth in total, to record his first single-seater victory at Thruxton on Sunday, 16th June 2002. He went on to finish in third place overall in the Championship. The following year he stormed to the Championship title and progressed through Formula Three and GP2 to the pinnacle of motorsport. Although claiming after winning the Formula Renault UK title he still had much to learn, his grounding in Formula Renault UK provided the platform for him to prove his talent on a global stage. |
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