Lewis Hamilton: BAHRAIN F1 IS THE BEST!
Lewis Hamilton: BAHRAIN F1 IS THE BEST!
Gulf Weekly
By MAI AL KHATIB
BAHRAIN International Circuit has been labeled the best Formula One track in the
world by racing ace Lewis Hamilton who aims to become the sport's youngest-ever
champion this year.
The first black driver in F1 has been at the centre of controversy over cruel,
racist taunts during testing in Spain and was "saddened" by the experience but
has only happy memories of the home of motor racing in the Middle East.
He is full of praise for the organisation of the event in Bahrain which will be
further music to the ears of the award-winning management team at the Sakhir
circuit.
Hamilton, 23, said: "I love the Bahrain circuit, it is one of the ones I really
look forward to, like Monaco and Spa.
"It is not so much for the track itself, but because of the facilities; the way
the place is organised; the people. It is just such a great trip. It is one of
the few places you go to without stress or hassle and you just feel so relaxed
there.
"Take the treatment we received last year, for example - the people where we
were staying, the fans that come to the track, they are all just generally
really nice people and the organisation at the track is by far the best probably
out of all the Grand Prix circuits."
The 23-year-old driver is a pin-up with many young race fans and his model-like
looks are currently adorning promotional posters across the kingdom.
He said: "I didn't know that. It is nice to hear and great to see that there is
a lot of support for me out there.
"The preparations are going really well; much better than last year. We had
slightly less time for physical training at the end of 2007 but we have made up
for it with an improved fitness plan and it is going well. I am feeling good and
testing has been really positive."
In his first 'rookie' F1 season last year he came second in the drivers'
championship losing out by a single point to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen who has
been testing in Bahrain this week.
Hamilton was also runner-up to Kimi's teammate Filipe Massa at the BIC although
he still remembers the winning feeling in Bahrain.
He said: "My best memory is winning the F3 Grand Prix there in 2004 and
obviously coming second last year was pretty special too.
"You just need to be fast - the same as anywhere. There isn't really anything
you have to be good at specifically there. You need a good car, a good
aerodynamic package and you need to be quick."
Hamilton also had this message to race fans in the kingdom: "I haven't really
had the chance to meet you so far but hopefully I will get to at some point in
the future.
"I hope you enjoy the 2008 season, this will be a special year and I hope even
more so than it was last year. I hope that you come with me on this journey and
we can do it together. I wish that you all have a good year in your personal
lives as well."
He will certainly get a warmer welcome in Bahrain than he did in Spain.
Spectators made abusive gestures and banners as well as shouting racist abuse at
Hamilton when he moved between the McLaren motorhome and the team's garage at
the Montmelo circuit.
A group of spectators wore wigs, dark makeup and T-shirts with the words
"Hamilton's Family" scrawled on them.
In Spain, Hamilton is widely blamed for Fernando Alonso's failure to clinch a
third straight championship last season after the Spaniard joined McLaren from
Renault. Alonso, who has since rejoined Renault, finished third in the drivers'
standings.
Spain could lose one or both of its Formula One races. The governing body FIA
said that the racial abuse during testing at the Barcelona circuit could result
in sanctions.
Under FIA's statutes, punishment can include removing races from the Grand Prix
calendar.
The Spanish Grand Prix is scheduled for April 27 at the Montmelo circuit in
Barcelona, and the European GP at Valencia on August 24.
It is awaiting reports from the national sporting authorities in Spain on what
happened before deciding on what steps will be taken.
The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix takes place on April 4, 5 and 6.
