LONDON, England -- A 21-year-old British race car driver with Grenadian roots has made history by becoming the first black driver named to race in next season’s Formula One race.
Lewis Hamilton of Britain joins the British team for the race after winning the 2006 GP2 series. He will race as a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes racing driver and will make his debut at the opening round of the 2007 Formula 1 World Championship in Australia.
Lewis, who also dominated the 2005 F3 Euro Series in a Dallara Mercedes winning 15 out of 20 races, has recommenced his testing program and the team’s preparations for the 2007 season at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona.
"It's a dream come true," said Lewis. "To be racing in Formula 1 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. 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. However 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."
"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," commented Ron Dennis, chairman and CEO, McLaren Group. "It's obviously going to be the biggest challenge of Lewis's career so far but it's one that 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 familiarize himself with the pressures of a Grand Prix weekend. However the confidence we have in Lewis's abilities and talent is clear from our decision to give him the chance."
Lewis has been involved with the McLaren and Mercedes-Benz Young Driver Support Program since its inception in 1998. He moved through the ranks of karting winning various Championships including the 'McLaren Mercedes Champions of the Future' karting series in 1998. Lewis dominated the 2003 British Formula Renault Championship winning 10 out of the Championship's 15 races. In 2004 Lewis competed in the prominent Formula 3 Euro series with Manor Motorsport, powered by Mercedes-Benz engines.
In 2005, Lewis dominated the F3 Euro Series Championship, in a car powered by Mercedes-Benz. On 8th September 2006 Lewis won the GP2 Series Championship with the ART team at Monza in Italy, winning five out of 22 rounds, and on Wednesday 13th September Lewis tested the Team McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car for the first time at the Silverstone circuit in the UK.
The racer recently told BBC Sports that, "Hopefully (his historic debut) can encourage other ethnic groups to get involved in the sport. It doesn't have to be just for one group of people, it can be for everyone. Hopefully when I'm there people that can relate to (me) will see that it's possible and also try to get into the sport.
