Mr Hamilton will see you now
On a flying visit to Delhi, F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton sits down with us to talk about hanging out with Yuvraj and sleeping through Delhi traffic.
M: The first half of the season was very difficult for you, how did you manage to keep yourself motivated?
LH: It wasn’t easy, but you just have faith in yourself and in the team and you have to keep pushing. Thankfully, the team worked very hard to improve the car and I was able to win in Hungary. They have really worked hard to make sure that the car can win races and that I can do my job!
M: You played a spot of cricket today, you still have a bit of work to do…
LH: (Laughs) Yes, but I was just getting some tips from Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh), so I think I can still improve a bit.
M: Are you a watch man?
LH: Well, I have grown into a watch man thanks to my association with TAG.
M: Surprising that you are not wearing the latest one then, the LS?
LH: It’s a personal choice, right? I really do prefer the Carrera and I do mix and match what I wear depending on the day and occasion.
M: Obviously you take off the watch when you’re racing…
LH: Not always, it depends on how fittedthey are. This one I’m wearing is perfectly fitted and it does not move about in my hand, but sometimes, the watch might have one link too many, so I take it off for the race.
M: Ever since a very young age, you have been travelling all the time—Kart races across England, junior Formula races across Europe and now across the world. Don’t you ever miss home?
LH: (Laughs) You know what that does make you realise is that how precious the little bit of time is when you are with the people who matter to you.
M: This is your second visit to India (Lewis went to Mumbai last year), but both are just day trips. Any plans of coming here for a holiday?
LH: Yes, for sure. I mean I haven’t managed to see the Taj Mahal as yet and I’ve heard and read so much about it. I don’t know so many other places in India, but that is definitely one place I do want to see.
M: So, you will come with Nicole (Scherzinger, Lewis’ girlfriend)?
LH: Yes, obviously.
M: So, did Delhi’s traffic faze you?
LH: No, surprisingly I am a very good passenger. Put me in the back seat and I can fall asleep in an instant. So, I slept most of the way really.
M: It must be difficult for you, all these multiple time zones and schedules?
LH: Definitely, your body can get hurt if you train without enough sleep. But the Singapore (Grand Prix) is definitely the most fun. Because we usually race around one or two in the afternoon our cycles are based on that. For Singapore, which is a night race, we actually have to adjust our body clocks around the night-time race. So you have breakfast around 2-3 in the afternoon and go to sleep around 5-6 in the morning, but your body thinks it is still in European time. It is really good fun. (The Singapore Grand Prix 2009 takes place on September 27).
M: Isn’t it difficult driving under floodlights?
LH: No, they’re really bright and you get used to them really fast.
M: This year has seen a lot of politics in F1 between the FIA and teams, did that affect you?
LH: No, when you get into the car you just switch off from everything else and just race. Yes, but all that does affect everyone in the sport because all that the drivers and the teams want to do is compete and race. No matter which racing series you are in.
M: There have been some interesting technical innovations this season, including the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) that you are using. How is that working for you guys?
LH: Very well, KERS has been good for us and the Mercedes KERS system is the best. That is one of the great things about the McLaren Mercedes team, when we set out to do something we aim to make it the best. Our engine is clearly the best—Jenson (Button’s Brawn GP) car uses it—and in time we will have the best car as well.
M: Are you looking forward to racing in India in 2011?
LH: Yes, I think it is great that Formula One is moving to new countries—China, Turkey and now India. It will great to race in front of Indian driving fans and hopefully the race will attract tourism to India as well.
M: Even in the summer heat?
LH: You know, there is always something about every race that makes it hard, if we race in this sort of weather it will be a challenge but we will compete.
M: Which is your favourite track on the Calendar?
LH: Generally the older circuits such as Monaco and Spa.
M: And who was the racing driver that you most looked up to growing up?
LH: Ayrton Senna.
