F1: Hamilton hungry for Formula One glory

Jan 8 2008

AN older, wiser Lewis Hamilton will start the new Formula One season with even greater desire to win motorsport’s greatest prize.

Hamilton missed out on becoming world champion last season by a point after leading the standings from the Canadian Grand Prix in June through to the final race in Brazil.

At Interlagos, a gearbox malfunction robbed Hamilton of the chance of becoming the first rookie in the sport’s history to take the title.

Despite the succession of problems experienced by McLaren last year, there has been no winter of discontent within the Woking-based marque.

Instead, with Hamilton celebrating his 23rd birthday, the team rolled out their 2008 challenger in Stuttgart, the home of engine suppliers Mercedes.

There certainly appeared a steely glint in Hamilton’s eye as he again spoke with maturity and authority, counting down towards the opening grand prix in Australia on March 16.

“I wouldn’t say that what happened last year was a blow, but you wouldn’t be human if you didn’t feel anything,” remarked Hamilton.

“But I’ve recovered from it and I feel even stronger, mentally and physically, and now I’m just excited and even more determined than I have been in the past.

“Perhaps the experience of last year has encouraged that because it was a steep learning curve.

“But, if anything, I just grew up, as a person and as a driver, and that was the aim.

“With any experience, good or bad, you learn from it and then look forward.

“This year, I feel more at home, more confident and more relaxed, and even more sure of what I want.

“I knew what I wanted last year, but it was having that desire and not really knowing how to fill the shoes 100 per cent – if you know what I mean.”

Many drivers would have been crestfallen at the way Hamilton lost the title, not only in Brazil, where Kimi Raikkonen took the crown, but also during the previous race in China.

It was at Shanghai where the team made an error in summoning Hamilton into the pits too late on severely-worn tyres, leading to him skidding off into the gravel and out of the race.

Throw in the sorrow that followed in Sao Paulo, and the current winter might have been one of reflecting on what might have been, but not for Hamilton.

“Every year I grow, with the knocks, mistakes, disappointments, even wins, helping to mould you into a better person,” he added.

“If you can come out of a race like Brazil where you should have won the world championship, and you keep a smile on your face...

“But I didn’t come out of the race thinking that I hadn’t won the world title. I thought, ’I can’t wait until next year, bring it on, hurry up and get the winter out of the way, and let’s get cracking again’.”