First Black F1 Driver

[artpogi]

that's Lewis Hamilton, he will replace Pedro Dela Rosa. Will join Alonso as the number 2 driver. Good for the sport!

McLaren sign up first black F1 driver

[24/11/06 - 12:29]

Lewis Hamilton, a 21-year-old Briton, will become Formula One's first black driver when he joins world champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren next season.

Hamilton, regarded as one of the most talented drivers of his generation, joins the British stable after winning this year's GP2 series. His arrival on the grid comes at the expense of Pedro de la Rosa who raced for McLaren after Juan Pablo Montoya's departure for the last eight races of 2006. De la Rosa will return to testing duties for the 2007 season.

Hamilton, whose parents moved to Britain from Grenada in the 1950s, described the news as a dream come true. "To be racing in Formula One with McLaren has been the ultimate goal for me since I was very young and this opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me," the son of a railway worker said.

It was at the age of 10 Hamilton first approached team principal Ron Dennis at an awards dinner and informed him he wanted to race for McLaren in Formula One.

Seduced by Hamilton's enthusiasm, the youngster was inducted into the McLaren and Mercedes-Benz Young Driver Support Programme from its inception in 1998. Hamilton showed his promise by winning the McLaren Mercedes Champions of the Future karting series that year. He went on to dominate the 2003 British Formula Renault Championship, winning 10 of 15 races.

After winning the Formula 3 Euro series in 2005, Hamilton followed up by becoming GP2 Series champion this year, leading to his first test for McLaren in September.

"I have grown up with McLaren and Mercedes and wouldn't be where I am today without their continued support and guidance. However I'm aware that this will be a challenge and I know that there will be a lot of attention on me. But the team has told me just to relax, do the best I can and enjoy the opportunity. I will work hard to get good results" said Lewis

Dennis is confident Hamilton will live up to his rich promise. "Since 1998 Lewis has formed an important part of our long-term strategy, and we are pleased that we are able to help him take another step and achieve his dream of becoming a Formula 1 racing driver," said Dennis.

He added : "Pedro (de la Rosa) has done an outstanding job for us this season but we felt it was the right time to provide Lewis with this opportunity. It's obviously going to be the biggest challenge of his career so far, but it's one we are sure he will be able to meet. He is coming into the paddock for the first time as a Formula 1 racing driver and will have to familiarise himself with the pressures of a grand prix weekend. However, the confidence we have in Lewis' abilities and talent is clear from our decision to give him the chance."

Source AFP

[squala]

At least he doesn't seem like that other Brit who lifts his bench and boldly claims that he's the best driver on the grid. But personally, I think it's too early for him to get the drive. He hasn't had enough experience, so a testing role could be initially better for him. They should have let Pedro drive at the start, and if he doesn't perform as expected, that's the time they can hand the task over to Lewis.

[CVT]

Two Spanish drivers at the helm of an F1 racing car is ill-advised on the business side as everyone's trying to project an international team image.

On the other hand,- there will be too much passion, which could result to an explosive situation....

:starwars: