Aged 10, Hamilton had a chance encounter with McLaren team principal Ron Dennis. Three years later, he was signed to the Young Driver Support Programme by McLaren and Mercedes-Benz. He’s now the most successful British Formula One driver in history, with 53 Grand Prix wins and three World Drivers’ Championships under his belt. He is also the only driver ever to have won at least one race in every season he’s competed in.
And, after his defeat to Nico Rosberg last season, all eyes are now on Hamilton. Eddie Jordan, the team boss turned pundit, recently said that Hamilton was “wounded” after last year and that Hamilton is now ready to “annihilate” the championship, to go in with all guns blazing and to not repeat the same mistakes made last year. So, with the world watching him as we enter this year’s F1 season, we caught up with Hamilton on his inspirations, motivations and his favourite F1 track to race.
“To drive and win is Monaco, and to race is Austin. Texas is the more opportunistic track for overtaking, so it’s more exciting.”
F1 Monaco Race Track
“Undoubtedly the three men I have always admired are Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela and Ayrton Senna. Senna’s been my hero since childhood.”
Ayrton Senna
“Martin Luther King said: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
“It’s got to be the IWC Big Pilot. It’s masculine and classy, and I can wear it for any occasion. As for the brand, there are many similarities between a Formula One team and watchmaking, where each team’s sole goal is to chase time.”
PHOTOPRESS/IWC
“Not to dwell on things. Life’s too short for that. Nowadays, I try not to have any regrets in life.”
“It’s got to be the Queen, she’s incredible.”
“My house. I worked hard for it and I love coming back to it. My greatest luxury is definitely my private jet.”
“Three things I always look for in a person are integrity, honesty and loyalty. In myself, others say that my best character trait is that I’m spontaneous. I’m also too truthful sometimes, which can definitely get me into trouble.”
“Cool Runnings.”
“London, because it’s home. My favourite holiday destination has to be Cabo San Lucas.”
“My dad. He has dedicated his entire life to me.”
“I’d like to think that I’m very adaptive when it comes to all sports.”
Lewis Hamilton is an ambassador for IWC Schaffhausen.
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