THE G.O.A.T
evo India|December 2020
Lewis Hamilton is now tied with Michael Schumacher for most number of world titles. But is he the best Formula 1 driver ever?
ABHISHEK WAIRAGADE
THE G.O.A.T

BACK IN 2006, WHEN LEWIS HAMILTON WAS given his Formula 1 evaluation test against McLaren’s then race driver Pedro de la Rosa, he was matching the accomplished driver’s timings at the age of 21. De La Rosa immediately knew that he had a massive problem; not just him but the entire grid itself. He has been spot on with his prediction as Lewis has gone on to become the most successful Formula 1 driver of all time, all set to beat Michael Schumacher. But how did he get here in the first place?

At the age of 10, Lewis became the youngest ever winner of the British cadet karting championship. He attended the Autosport awards the same year and walked up to Ron Dennis, the McLaren boss and said, “One day, I want to be racing your cars.” Within three years, Ron had signed him for McLaren’s driver development programme, putting Martin Whitmarsh, CEO, McLaren in charge of Lewis’ career.

Lewis was good at his craft but didn’t look like other drivers on the grid, facing racist comments from other drivers and their parents even. He wasn’t part of a wealthy family either, unlike most others in the paddock. His father Anthony worked several shifts, living in a council house in Stevenage, working in IT and the railways. In the early days, Lewis did get angry with his rivals for calling him ‘black’ but responded on track, by winning the races. Success ensued in F3 and GP2 (then the final category before F1) in 2006 and Lewis had one of the most impressive seasons ever in F2. And soon F1 beckoned.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVO INDIAView all
evo India

FAST STEAD

This Skoda Octavia RS 230 is fast enough to blow your mind but not its engine

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
Ford Fusion
evo India

Ford Fusion

Practical, great engine and dynamics, but weird styling ensured buyers stayed well away

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

Mahindra Bolero Neo

Armed with an iconic badge, a fresh face and a mechanically locking differential, the Bolero Neo could just be the compact SUV you’ve been looking for

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

RISING FROM THE ASHES

The third generation Suzuki Hayabusa is one of the fastest production motorcycles in the world, and a bike that truly deserves to be ridden flat out at the High Speed Track at NATRAX

time-read
7 mins  |
August 2021
BIJOY KUMAR Y
evo India

BIJOY KUMAR Y

Bijoy is quite looking forward to what the recent space launches could mean

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

DOA: HSV HRT 427

This racing-inspired 7-litre Holden Monaro garnered more than enough interest for its limited production run to sell out. But sadly the sums didn’t add up

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

Mini Cooper S Convertible

Mini gives the Convertible a more modern front end, more technology on the inside and a very bright paint scheme

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2021
evo India

VW Taigun GT

Good news! With two GT variants, Volkswagen are set to make the 1.5 TSI motor even more accessible to us enthusiasts

time-read
8 mins  |
August 2021
THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT
evo India

THE DOCTOR CHECKS OUT

As Rossi decides to hang up his boots after 26 seasons, we take a look back at his journey through MotoGP

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2021
“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”
evo India

“IF THE RATING IS DONE, NATRAX COULD BE ONE OF THE TOP THREE PROVING GROUNDS IN THE WORLD”

Speaking to Dr N Karuppaiah, additional director and centre head, NATRAX

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2021