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Hamilton gets 2007 McLaren drive | Hamilton gets 2007 McLaren drive |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Englishman Lewis Hamilton will drive for McLaren in Formula One next season. | Englishman Lewis Hamilton will drive for McLaren in Formula One next season. |
The 21-year-old, the reigning champion of the GP2 feeder series, will be the first black driver to race in F1. | The 21-year-old, the reigning champion of the GP2 feeder series, will be the first black driver to race in F1. |
Hamilton, who has been in McLaren's young driver programme since 1998, said getting a drive with the team was "a dream come true". | Hamilton, who has been in McLaren's young driver programme since 1998, said getting a drive with the team was "a dream come true". |
He faces the daunting prospect of partnering world champion Fernando Alonso, who will be making his McLaren debut after moving from Renault. | He faces the daunting prospect of partnering world champion Fernando Alonso, who will be making his McLaren debut after moving from Renault. |
Interview: Lewis Hamilton | |
McLaren boss Ron Dennis acknowledged that promoting Hamilton was a gamble, but insisted he was a better prospect than any driver in F1 other than Alonso and former McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen. | McLaren boss Ron Dennis acknowledged that promoting Hamilton was a gamble, but insisted he was a better prospect than any driver in F1 other than Alonso and former McLaren driver Kimi Raikkonen. |
"He has earned his chance and he deserves this opportunity," Dennis said. | "He has earned his chance and he deserves this opportunity," Dennis said. |
Statistically, Lewis is going to find it tough in the first few races of his Grand Prix career Ron DennisMcLaren boss "Yes, there's a concern," Dennis said. "But I'm open about this concern. | Statistically, Lewis is going to find it tough in the first few races of his Grand Prix career Ron DennisMcLaren boss "Yes, there's a concern," Dennis said. "But I'm open about this concern. |
"Both Lewis and the team have their eyes open and we will be very supportive. We have mapped out a very detailed programme to give him a grounding in all the different aspects of F1. | "Both Lewis and the team have their eyes open and we will be very supportive. We have mapped out a very detailed programme to give him a grounding in all the different aspects of F1. |
"By Australia [the first race], he will have been well prepared and well disciplined, and he will be as well equipped to handle it as we can make him." | "By Australia [the first race], he will have been well prepared and well disciplined, and he will be as well equipped to handle it as we can make him." |
Dennis said it was "not unrealistic" to expect Hamilton to win a race in his debut season "if we have a strong car, but certainly not in the early part of the season". | Dennis said it was "not unrealistic" to expect Hamilton to win a race in his debut season "if we have a strong car, but certainly not in the early part of the season". |
He added: "Statistically, Lewis is going to find it tough in the first few races of his Grand Prix career. | He added: "Statistically, Lewis is going to find it tough in the first few races of his Grand Prix career. |
"You only have to look at the first few races of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher to realise that unless he is something really exceptional, and that I doubt because they are two really exceptional drivers, you can't expect - and nor do we expect - immediate performance." | "You only have to look at the first few races of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher to realise that unless he is something really exceptional, and that I doubt because they are two really exceptional drivers, you can't expect - and nor do we expect - immediate performance." |
Hamilton's appointment means Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa will revert to being a test driver alongside another Englishman, Gary Paffett, who had been tipped for a race seat in another team. | Hamilton's appointment means Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa will revert to being a test driver alongside another Englishman, Gary Paffett, who had been tipped for a race seat in another team. |
Hamilton will join the McLaren team next week as they prepare for the 2007 season at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. | Hamilton will join the McLaren team next week as they prepare for the 2007 season at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. |
"To be racing in Formula One with McLaren has been the ulimate goal for me since I was very young," Hamilton said in a team statement. | "To be racing in Formula One with McLaren has been the ulimate goal for me since I was very young," Hamilton said in a team statement. |
"This opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me. | "This opportunity is a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me. |
606 DEBATE: Tell us your thoughts on Hamilton's "dream" coming true | 606 DEBATE: Tell us your thoughts on Hamilton's "dream" coming true |
"I'm aware that this will be a challenge and I know there will be a lot of attention on me," he added. | "I'm aware that this will be a challenge and I know there will be a lot of attention on me," he added. |
Hamilton, who joined the McLaren development programme at the age of 13, won the British Formula Renault title in 2003 and the Formula 3 Euroseries in 2005. | Hamilton, who joined the McLaren development programme at the age of 13, won the British Formula Renault title in 2003 and the Formula 3 Euroseries in 2005. |
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