Lewis Hamilton, From Stevenage Estate To Billion Dollar Sports Star
Lewis Hamilton is now the youngest ever Formula 1 champion after completing one of the most exciting and tumultuous races in living memory. Born in Stevenage in 1985 this young go getter was named after athletics hero Carl Lewis.
Through the sacrifice of his father and other family members he has been able to realise his dream after a career in karting and the various other divisions of motor racing. Today he is a multi millionaire, complete with his own clothing lines and merchandise deals. After winning the world championship it is a surety that he will become even hotter property in the eyes of the press.
Lewis Hamilton has always been confident in his own ability, at the tender age of ten at a kart racing event the young Lewis approached Ron Dennis, the McLaren team principal and stated that “I want to race for you one day”. His confidence however was well founded, a mere three years later, McLaren Mercedes were sponsoring Hamilton and supplying him with not only tutoring but clothing and equipment.
Entering the world of Formula 1 in 2007 he had an excellent first season, finishing second in one of the most hotly contested championships for years. In 2008, he has claimed the title for himself in an equally exciting season. Lewis Hamilton is truly grateful to the McLaren Mercedes team, in interviews he has stated that he wishes to stay with the team for the rest of his Formula 1 career.
Hamilton had a penchant for motorsport from an early age, at six he was racing, and winning radio controlled car events after his father had bought him a model in 1991. At this stage, the youngster’s skill and talent were clearly recognisable; the fact he was racing against adults and winning was evidence of this ability. After radio controlled cars the world of karting beckoned, all this at the age of eight.
The racing attributes of Hamilton were clear and after his initial meeting with Ron Dennis he was signed by McLaren in 1998, the result of Lewis winning many British Kart Championships. While the deal brought some additional assistance in terms of clothing and equipment, his father Anthony was the initial source of financial backing however, having to take on multiple jobs to support his son’s interests.
With the world of karting seemingly dominated by the young Lewis Hamilton he soon moved into more advanced forms of motorsport, specifically Formula Renault, Formula Three and GP2. This phase in his career was filled with successes and even a brief period where he was dropped by McLaren for a short time. After Formula 3 he entered the GP2 championship; the division below Formula 1; Lewis Hamilton managed to impress in this championship recording many exceptional performances and race victories.
At this stage his ability to see space and overtaking opportunities where other drivers could not became readily apparent. Subsequently his fame increased and clothing and merchandise deals started to be levelled towards the young Brit.
As of the second of November 2008 Hamilton is the youngest ever Formula 1 world champion, taking that plaudit from Fernando Alonso by 122 days. The future is almost certainly bright for Lewis and his family, while they may still be in the throes of celebration, they will soon make that realisation.
With reporters estimating that Hamilton will be Britain’s first billion dollar sporting figure, through racing deals, merchandise and clothing agreements, financially he is sound. Only time will tell if this magnificently talented young professional will be able to convert this title into multiple championships, but for now waking up as champion will be enough.
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