Lewis Hamilton Wins His First F1 Drive
Well its been a main topic for any British Formula One fan since half way through last season when it was clear that Lewis Hamilton was going to dominate the GP2 series, would he race in a F1 car in 2007? Silverstone was a turning point for any doubters with a great win in front of his home crowd. Many thought the race was better than the following Formula One race.
Lewis who has been nurtured by Mclaren for some time now has eventually been given his dream and will be sitting in a Mclaren Formula One car in 2007. Ron Dennis the chief of Mclaren has gone against his normal recruitment rule, in that they only employ drivers who have proven their worth in a F1 car. There was little doubt that Lewis would get a drive at some point, the questions were would it be in 2007 and would it be in a Mclaren or in a team further down the grid.
Hamilton will partner Alonso current world champion, second year in a row who is moving from Renault. There could be no better training environment, a competitive team and your teammate being the best driver in the world. Clearly this maybe why Mclaren felt they could risk a first timer in their second car, knowing Alonso will be going for a third championship. There are some who have so much faith in Hamilton that they think Alonso will have to raise his game to stay ahead of this driver who is still only just 21 and the first ever black driver.
Hamilton will be the third British driver on the grid confirmed for 2007 with Jenson Button and David Coulthard. Jenson may start to lose a bit of popularity if he does not increase on his win rate of one. There are already rumours that Lewis Hamilton will become the next British Champion hope. David Coulthard will be driving a new Red Bull car for 2007 and with almost a new team around him and a competitive driver, Mark Webber as his teammate, he is in a better position since leaving Mclaren to win another race.
There is no doubt that the arrival of Lewis will give a breath of fresh air to the British f1 scene, 3 drivers all in relatively competitive cars although it has to be said that Mclaren did not win a race last year, something that has not happened for many a year. Honda eventually got their first win with Jenson after a rocky start and will looking to have a better start from the leanings of last year.
Melbourne will be the first race of the 2007 season with masses of changes on the grid. For the first time in 15 years, Michael Schumacher will not be there and so there is a natural place to replace him although Alonso probably thinks he has that sewn up.
I, like many other Grand Prix fans will be planning to up early in the morning to witness the birth of a new era with new drivers, changes in teams and of course the absence of probably the best driver the world has ever known Michael Schumacher. The season of 2007 looks to be even better than 2006.
