Lewis Hamilton: My Story

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He suggested that Horner should adopt a more gracious demeanour in light of his team’s triumphs, urging him to savour the victory and avoid dwelling on past controversies. You couldn't meet a nicer, more grounded group of people," says Liam, who is a successful rally driver and navigator. Wolff says: “He’s almost philosophical about certain things. He spends a lot of time thinking. He is someone who hasn’t built his whole life on one particular pillar. It all circles around his driving. He is the F1 world champion. But now he is the F1 world champion and he’s a fighter for diversity, a fighter against racism. These are topics that go far beyond the racing driver.

Asked whether he thought it was strange for Horner to be talking about his contractual situation, Hamilton said: "Not really. If you really think about it, there are a lot of people here who really like to drop my name in conversations because they know it is going to make waves. Some drivers cannot get that close to the car in front,” De la Rosa says. "But Lewis and Fernando, always, when they’re behind they’re nearly touching the gearbox.

The problem comes when the rear tyres drop off. That’s when they are so much better than the rest. They still keep the speed going in.”

He’s still a massive reason why I’m as strong as I am and why I’m out of my wheelchair. I’m still his No 1 fan. Lewis and my dad [Anthony], he has been the anchor for the whole family. Three years later, after Hamilton had won his second British kart championship, Dennis signed him up to McLaren’s driver development programme. Whitmarsh was put in charge of overseeing Hamilton’s career. Horner said in an interview: "We have had several conversations over the years about Lewis joining. They have reached out a few times. Most recently, earlier in the year, there was an inquiry about whether there would be any interest."

Wolff ‘baffled’

I just hope that by writing about him, he doesn’t get too big-headed because, if he does, I will have to make sure he soon forgets it! He is such a character, so grounded too, and he is always cheerful and happy. He has big respect from me and all who know him. Nic is seven years younger than me and because of that, I sometimes feel like I have to teach him things, like my dad did for me. But most of the time, I am learning stuff from him.